Ocular Brugia pahangi Filariasis Complicated by Severe Macular Damage in Thailand: Case Report and Literature Review.

Extralymphatic filariasis caused by filaria of zoonotic origins has been frequently reported in Thailand over recent years. Here, we report the first case of ocular filariasis in a 7.5-year-old Thai boy who initially presented with progressive conjunctival redness and blurred vision in his right eye. A small, slender, coiled worm was found and surgically removed from the right anterior chamber. Histopathological examination illustrated predominant eosinophilic inflammation surrounding the parasite, which showed smooth and thin cuticle, prominent lateral chords, flat and broad muscle cells, one intestine, and two reproductive tubes with unsegmented ova, typically characteristic of a female adult Brugia filarial nematode. The parasite was also molecularly identified as B. pahangi, based on mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I sequence analysis. The patient was then empirically prescribed albendazole, systemic prednisolone, and topical methylprednisolone. Unfortunately, his vision did not recover after 2 months due to severe maculopathy, most likely resulting from parasitic infestation and subsequent vitreous inflammation. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case of ocular infestation by B. pahangi with visual complications that occurred outside a filariasis-endemic area of Thailand. Furthermore, this report provides clinical data on preceding cases of B. pahangi filariasis formally reported in southeast Asian countries, including Thailand and Malaysia, which facilitate a better understanding of the epidemiology of this sporadic zoonotic infection for effective disease elimination.

Diffuse Unilateral Subacute Neuroretinitis Evolving With Submacular Granuloma.

DUSN is an infectious ocular disease that can lead to severe visual impairment and blindness. It usually occurs in young healthy individuals and depending on the stage of the disease, clinical presentation may range from mild vitritis and multifocal gray-white lesions in outer retina to optic atrophy.Parasites of different sizes and species have been proposed as the etiological agent of this disease. Thus, it is hypothesized that different infectious worms may be considered as the likely cause of a both autoimmune and toxic form of nematode retinopathy.Most patients present with already severe visual impairment and in the later stages of the disease, where the likelihood of improvement is low, despite therapy. In cases of early diagnosis, prompt treatment, whether with oral antihelmintic or direct photocoagulation of the worm, patients may show considerable visual improvement and have a more favorable prognosis.

Suspected ocular toxocariasis and macular heterotopia.

We report a case of an asymptomatic Caucasian male who attended our clinic for a routine check-up and macular heterotopia associated with lesions compatible with ocular toxocariasis were found.

Multifocal cysticercosis with optical coherence tomography findings in a child.

We herein report a case with multifocal cysticercosis--sub-conjunctival cysticercus cyst, sub-retinal cysticercosis, and neurocysticercosis in a child. The optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings of the sub-retinal cysticercus cyst are reported. He was treated with anti-helminthic drugs and oral prednisolone followed by surgical removal of the sub-retinal cyst. He subsequently underwent silicone oil removal with lens aspiration and intraocular lens implantation maintaining stable vision.

[Toxoplasmic chorioretinitis: positive PCR on vitreous with negative serology for Toxoplasma gondii]. / Choriorétinite toxoplasmique : PCR positive du vitré malgré une sérologie négative pour Toxoplasma gondii.

Ocular recurrences of congenital toxoplasmosis usually occur during the first and second decades of life. At that time, serum levels of IgG against toxoplasmosis are almost always detectable because of the very high sensitivity of the test. The diagnosis is mainly supported by the ophthalmological examination and the good clinical response to treatment. In atypical cases, the Goldman-Witmer coefficient (GWC) on aqueous and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on aqueous or vitreous is usually performed to substantiate the diagnosis. We report a case of recurrent macular chorioretinitis in a 13-year-old immunocompetent patient with a history of congenital toxoplasmosis whose repeated serologies remained negative or uncertain. However, the diagnosis of toxoplasmic chorioretinitis was supported by the detection of Toxoplasma gondii DNA by PCR analysis in a vitreous sample. Although the sensitivity of serology is very high, it is not perfect and there are false-negative results. In case of high clinical presumption in spite of a negative serology, PCR could be a helpful contribution to the diagnosis.

Vitrectomy update for macular traction in ocular toxocariasis.

PURPOSE: To study the results of modern vitrectomy in traction and combined traction-rhegmatogenous retinal detachment involving the macula in cases of ocular toxocariasis. METHODS: This was a cohort study of patients seen in different institutions in the United States. Ten eyes of 10 patients were studied. Vitrectomy was performed in all eyes, combined with membrane removal, scleral buckle, fluid-gas exchange, silicone oil, or lensectomy in certain cases. The anatomic and visual results of surgery were reviewed. RESULTS: Ten eyes from 10 patients ranging in age from 2 to 33 years (median, 6 years) were reviewed. Follow-up ranged from 3 months to 8 years (median, 2 years). All eyes achieved macular attachment following surgery; vision improved in 5 (50%) eyes, and was unchanged in 5 (50%). Histologic specimens from six eyes were reviewed, and revealed combinations of fibrous tissue, eosinophils, plasma cells, lymphocytes, and giant cells. One specimen revealed an encysted Toxocara canis organism. CONCLUSION: Inflammation created in response to Toxocara larvae may lead to traction retinal detachment of the macula. Vitreoretinal surgery has a good chance of reattaching the macula and improving vision.

[Ocular cysticercosis. Apropos of a clinical case of presumed ocular cysticercosis]. / Cysticercose oculaire. A propos d'un cas clinique de cysticercose oculaire présumée.

The study of a case of ocular cysticercosis and its angiographic analysis enables the authors to formulate some hypothesis regarding the pathogenesis of the retinal lesions. In particular the presence of a bilateral gravitational retinal epitheliopathy contrasting with the unilateral localisation of the parasite, associated to vascular alterations, suggests that the presence of the cysticercus at subretinal level may trigger an autoimmune process mainly directed against the photoreceptors. A similar process to the one experimentally observed in monkeys after S retinal antigen immunisation can be imagined.

Ocular toxocariasis demonstrated by ultrasound.

A 10-year-old white girl had a painless loss of central vision in the right eye. A white mass partially surrounded by blood was present in the macula of the right eye. Ultrasound examination revealed an elevated mass. ELISA test for Toxocara canis was positive. Further history revealed contact with puppies. The ELISA test ruled out tumor.

Subretinal tracks in ophthalmomyiasis.

Three cases of presumed infestation of the human globe by the maggot of a true fly (order of Diptera) are presented. In each case, migration of the maggot through the subretinal space produced widespread ophthalmoscopic and fluorescein angiographic changes that are believed to be pathognomonic of subretinal ophthalmomyiasis. Despite extensive changes in the retinal pigment epithelium, each of the three patients expressed few symptoms and manifested minimal visual deficit.