Chronic Retinal Necrosis Associated with Toxoplasma Gondii.

INTRODUCTION

Chronic retinal necrosis encompasses severe occlusive retinal vasculitis, granular retinitis, and vitritis. This phenotype has been observed in patients with limited immune dysfunction, cytomegalovirus (CMV) uveitis, and negative serology for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

METHODS

Case series.

RESULTS

We present two cases: an 85-year-old female and a 76-year-old male, both displaying unusual occlusive panretinal vasculopathy associated with long-standing necrotizing retinitis and vitritis. Anterior chamber taps with real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) were negative for herpesviruses and positive for Toxoplasma gondii in both cases. These findings are consistent with chronic retinal necrosis associated with toxoplasma gondii.

CONCLUSIONS

In elderly patients or those with limited immune dysfunction who present with chronic retinal necrosis, Toxoplasma gondii should be considered in the differential diagnosis.