Toxoplasma Neuroretinitis

Case Rep Ophthalmol. 2022 Sep 30;13(3):751-755. doi: 10.1159/000526682. eCollection 2022 Sep-Dec.

Abstract

Neuroretinitis is an inflammatory condition with rapid unilateral vision loss, optic disc edema, and macular star formation. While neuroretinitis is commonly due to infectious causes such as Bartonella henselae, neuroretinitis due to toxoplasmosis is uncommon. A 29-year-old male presents to our neuro-ophthalmology clinic on December 7, 2021, at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences with symptoms of left eye pain and blurred vision. Subsequent workup led to the diagnosis and treatment of toxoplasma neuroretinitis. The fundus exam eventually demonstrated a notable macular star. Treatment was well tolerated, and the patient regained total visual acuity in the affected eye. Toxoplasma neuroretinitis is known for a characteristic appearance of optic disc edema prior to appearance of stellate maculopathy with vitreous inflammation and peripheral chorioretinal scars. Although loss of vision due to toxoplasmosis is rare, it should be included as part of the differential diagnosis with pertinent history.

Keywords: Neuro-ophthalmology; Ocular toxoplasmosis; Optic nerve/neurophthalmology; Toxoplasma gondii; Toxoplasma neuroretinitis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

Grants and funding

Authors have no funding to declare.