Punctate outer retinal toxoplasmosis in an HIV-positive child.

PURPOSE: To discover whether the outer layer of the retina can be the site for toxoplasmosis in AIDS patients.

METHODS

An HIV-positive child, who previously had a normal ocular examination, was reexamined three months later. This examination showed outer retinal lesions compatible with toxoplasmosis and positive IgM and IgG titers specific for that organism, despite the small drop in the CD4 count.

RESULTS

During the first examination, the antibodies for toxoplasmosis were negative. At the three-months follow-up, the anti-toxoplasmosis antibodies were positive and the rest of the workup was negative, suggesting a strong correlation with the patient's fundus pattern.

CONCLUSION

We describe a case of punctate outer retinal toxoplasmosis uveitis, which has been previously associated with immunocompetent hosts. We, however, believe that it can be seen in immunocompromised patients as well.