Recurrent ocular toxoplasmosis in patients treated with systemic corticosteroids.

PURPOSE: The authors discuss a possible relationship between systematic corticosteroid use and reactivation of ocular toxoplasmosis.

METHODS

Patients were identified who developed foci of recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis while being treated with systemic corticosteroids. Case histories were reviewed retrospectively.

RESULTS

During a 10-year interval, three patients were identified at the University of California, Los Angeles, who had been receiving systemic corticosteroid therapy (dose range, 0.27-1.23 mg/kg/day) when they developed recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Disease occurred at intervals of 20 days to approximately 1 year after start of corticosteroid therapy. Lesions were typical in appearance, course, and manner in which they responded to antimicrobial therapy.

CONCLUSION

Recurrent toxoplasmosis in patients receiving corticosteroid therapy probably is uncommon. These cases do not confirm a causal relationship between corticosteroid use and initiation of disease recurrence.