Early-stage ocular toxocariasis: Progression and histopathologic analysis
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: To report progression of early-stage ocular toxocariasis that evolved from retinal granuloma to tractional retinal detachment. Serial ophthalmic examination, multimodal imaging, and histopathological analysis were undertaken. A 5-year-old girl without past medical history presented with left eye vision loss of one-week duration. Ophthalmoscopic examination revealed multiple circumscribed retinal granuloma-like lesions affecting the peripheral retina and macula associated with a rhegmatogenous retinal detachment. There was no evidence of vitreoretinal fibrosis/ strands at initial examination. Initial 2-week treatment with oral albendazole 15mg/kg/daily lacked response, therefore pars plana vitrectomy, excisional biopsy, laser photocoagulation, silicone oil tamponade and sub-tenon triamcinolone injection was performed for management of retinal detachment and macular lesions. Histopathologic analysis showed a retinal granuloma. At the one-month postoperative evaluation, evidence of disease progression including vitreous strands and tractional retinal changes were present. Positive Toxocara IgG titers and peripheral eosinophilia were present. Histopathological analysis demonstrated a retinal granuloma with mixed plasma cells and eosinophils. We present a unique case of early-stage ocular toxocariasis in which progression was documented by serial multimodal imaging. The diagnosis was supported by serology and histopathologic analysis.
Authors: Alexander M. Melendez, Guillermo A. Puebla Robles, Maria J. Marcos Martinez, Victor M. Villegas, Arun D. Singh
Language: English
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $1,590
OpenAlex ID: W4415973963