Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report
Introduction: Toxocariasis is a zoonosis caused by the Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati nematodes larvae. These are intestinal parasites found in canids and felids, respectively. Case presentation: This paper presents the case of a 22-year-old woman from Caquetá, with a three-month history of visio...
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doaj-a0fdf5714c9b408cbd17ae4e6ad293f92020-11-25T00:09:55ZengUniversidad Nacional de ColombiaCase Reports2462-85222018-01-01414910.15446/cr.v4n1.6531047855Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case reportGerman Santiago Barahona Botache0Mario Javier Olivera1Universidad Nacional de ColombiaInstituto Nacional de Salud - Bogotá D.C.Introduction: Toxocariasis is a zoonosis caused by the Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati nematodes larvae. These are intestinal parasites found in canids and felids, respectively. Case presentation: This paper presents the case of a 22-year-old woman from Caquetá, with a three-month history of vision loss in her left eye, eye pain, diplopia, photophobia and bilateral red eye. Retinal detachment in the left eye was diagnosed by ultrasound. The ophthalmology service made a differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma and pars planitis. Symptomatic management was initiated with oral and topical corticosteroids, obtaining symptom improvement, although loss of visual acuity persisted. Discussion: Coexistence and cohabitation of the patient with pets (dogs and cats) was an important factor to consider ocular toxocariasis. Complete blood count revealed mild leukocytosis and lymphocytosis without eosinophilia. Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Taenia solium cysticercus were negative, as well as the VDRL. The ELISA test for Toxocara canis was positive, with IgG titers of 1:64 (positive ≥1:32, specificity >90%). Management with ophthalmic and systemic corticosteroids, albendazole and vitrectomy was initiated. The vitreous band was released by means of surgery, making the diplopia disappear, although residual peripheral granuloma persisted and will be operated by ophthalmology. Conclusions: Knowledge on ocular toxocariasis is important for physicians because it might be mistaken with retinoblastoma, a malignant neoplasm that may require enucleation of the eye.https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/care/article/view/65310Larva MigransToxocara canisNeglected DiseasesDiagnosisColombia |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
German Santiago Barahona Botache Mario Javier Olivera |
spellingShingle |
German Santiago Barahona Botache Mario Javier Olivera Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report Case Reports Larva Migrans Toxocara canis Neglected Diseases Diagnosis Colombia |
author_facet |
German Santiago Barahona Botache Mario Javier Olivera |
author_sort |
German Santiago Barahona Botache |
title |
Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report |
title_short |
Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report |
title_full |
Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report |
title_fullStr |
Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report |
title_full_unstemmed |
Ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. Case report |
title_sort |
ocular toxocariasis caused by toxocara canis in an adult woman. case report |
publisher |
Universidad Nacional de Colombia |
series |
Case Reports |
issn |
2462-8522 |
publishDate |
2018-01-01 |
description |
Introduction: Toxocariasis is a zoonosis caused by the Toxocara canis and Toxocara cati nematodes larvae. These are intestinal parasites found in canids and felids, respectively.
Case presentation: This paper presents the case of a 22-year-old woman from Caquetá, with a three-month history of vision loss in her left eye, eye pain, diplopia, photophobia and bilateral red eye. Retinal detachment in the left eye was diagnosed by ultrasound. The ophthalmology service made a differential diagnosis of retinoblastoma and pars planitis. Symptomatic management was initiated with oral and topical corticosteroids, obtaining symptom improvement, although loss of visual acuity persisted.
Discussion: Coexistence and cohabitation of the patient with pets (dogs and cats) was an important factor to consider ocular toxocariasis. Complete blood count revealed mild leukocytosis and lymphocytosis without eosinophilia. Antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii and Taenia solium cysticercus were negative, as well as the VDRL. The ELISA test for Toxocara canis was positive, with IgG titers of 1:64 (positive ≥1:32, specificity >90%). Management with ophthalmic and systemic corticosteroids, albendazole and vitrectomy was initiated. The vitreous band was released by means of surgery, making the diplopia disappear, although residual peripheral granuloma persisted and will be operated by ophthalmology.
Conclusions: Knowledge on ocular toxocariasis is important for physicians because it might be mistaken with retinoblastoma, a malignant neoplasm that may require enucleation of the eye. |
topic |
Larva Migrans Toxocara canis Neglected Diseases Diagnosis Colombia |
url |
https://revistas.unal.edu.co/index.php/care/article/view/65310 |
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AT germansantiagobarahonabotache oculartoxocariasiscausedbytoxocaracanisinanadultwomancasereport AT mariojavierolivera oculartoxocariasiscausedbytoxocaracanisinanadultwomancasereport |
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