A case of ocular toxoplasmosis: direct proof of the protozoan infection by retinal biopsy.

PURPOSE: To report a case of ocular toxoplasmosis with the direct evidence of intraocular infection of Toxoplasma gondii.

METHODS

Diagnostic vitrectomy was performed to collect vitreous and retinal samples on a 67-year-old female patient who had been suffering from recalcitrant intraocular inflammation with retinal lesions for a year.

RESULTS

Histopathological examinations of the retinal sample revealed numerous terminal colonies and extracellular tachyzoites that were confirmed to be Toxoplasma gondii by genetic analysis of vitreous and retinal sample using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). The intraocular disease was successfully treated with combination of anti-toxoplasma agents.

CONCLUSION

Recent evolution of vitrectomy technique and genetic analysis can help ophthalmologists to reach more accurate diagnosis in a complicated case of ocular toxoplasmosis.