Antiphospholipid syndrome following toxoplasma retinochoroiditis.

PURPOSE: To report a case of antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) following toxoplasma retinochoroiditis. DESIGN: Interventional case report. METHOD: The patient was a 24-year-old female with an attack of visual loss due to toxoplasma retinochoroiditis concomitant with branch retinal vein occlusion. Retinitis resolved with anti-toxoplasma treatment. However, a recurrent episode of BRVO and vitreous hemorrhage occurred later. RESULT: In systemic evaluation, evidence of APS was detected, including high titers of anti-cardiolipin antibody, increased beta-2 microglobulin and anti-toxoplasma IgG antibody, and also low titers of C3, C4, and CH50. CONCLUSION: Ocular toxoplasmosis should be included in the list of etiologies of secondary APS. Systemic evaluation for detection of APS is a necessary approach to patients with toxoplasma retinochoroiditis and concomitant vascular accident.

Branch retinal arterial occlusion associated with toxoplasmic chorioretinitis.

BACKGROUND: Ocular toxoplasmosis can cause a variety of retinal vascular changes including branch retinal arterial occlusion, which is a rare complication of the disease. PATIENT AND METHODS: We report a case of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis in a pregnant woman, who developed branch retinal arterial obstruction adjacent to the active chorioretinitis lesion. RESULTS: The patient received an appropriate steroid and antibiotic treatment and the retinitis lesion resolved over a six-week period. At two months after diagnosis, visual acuity in her right eye was 20/30 and there was a hyperpigmented scar at the site where active retinitis had been observed. CONCLUSION: Especially in young patients with branch retinal vascular occlusion associated with posterior uveitis, the diagnosis of ocular toxoplasmosis should be kept in mind and serologic test results should be obtained.