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. 2007 Dec;11(6):551-4.
doi: 10.1016/j.jaapos.2007.03.017.

Cataracts in congenital toxoplasmosis

Veena Arun  1 , A Gwendolyn Noble, Paul Latkany, Robert N Troia, Jessica Jalbrzikowski, Kristen Kasza, Ted Karrison, Simone Cezar, Mari Sautter, Mark J Greenwald, William Mieler, Marilyn B Mets, Ambereen Alam, Kenneth Boyer, Charles N Swisher, Nancy Roizen, Peter Rabiah, Monte A Del Monte, Rima McLeod; Toxoplasmosis Study Group
Affiliations

Cataracts in congenital toxoplasmosis

Veena Arun et al. J AAPOS. 2007 Dec.

Erratum in

  • J AAPOS. 2008 Feb;12(1):109. Latkany, Paul [added]; Troia, Robert N [added];Jalbrzikowski, Jessica [added]; Kasza, Kristen [added]; Karrison, Ted [added]; Cezar, Simone [added]; Sautter, Mari [added]; Greenwald, Mark J [added]; Mieler, William [added]; Mets, Marilyn B [added]; Alam, A

Abstract

Purpose: To determine the incidence and natural history of cataracts in children with congenital toxoplasmosis.

Methods: Children referred to the National Collaborative Chicago-based Congenital Toxoplasmosis Study (NCCCTS) between 1981 and 2005 were examined by ophthalmologists at predetermined times according to a specific protocol. The clinical course and treatment of patients who developed cataracts were reviewed.

Results: In the first year of life, 134 of 173 children examined were treated with pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and leukovorin, while the remaining 39 were not treated. Cataracts occurred in 27 eyes of 20 patients (11.6%, 95% confidence interval [7.2%, 17.3%]). Fourteen cataracts were present at birth and 13 developed postnatally. Locations of the cataracts included anterior polar (three eyes), anterior subcapsular (six eyes), nuclear (five eyes), posterior subcapsular (seven eyes), and unknown (six eyes). Thirteen cataracts were partial, nine total, and five with unknown complexity. Twelve cataracts remained stable, 12 progressed, and progression was not known for 3. Five of 27 eyes had cataract surgery, with 2 of these developing glaucoma. Sixteen eyes of 11 patients had retinal detachment and cataract. All eyes with cataracts had additional ocular lesions.

Conclusions: In the NCCCTS cohort, 11.6% of patients were diagnosed with cataracts. There was considerable variability in the presentation, morphology, and progression of the cataracts. Associated intraocular pathology was an important cause of morbidity.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Summary of ophthalmologic manifestations in 173 patients with congenital toxoplasmosis. Chorioretinal scars were the most common finding with a high incidence of strabismus. CR = Chorioretinal.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The left photograph is a total cataract. The middle photograph is a cataract that clinically was of unknown type. The type of cataract was unknown at the time of the examination. Later the eye was enucleated and pathology revealed an anterior subcapsular plaque and marked cataractous changes. The right photograph is a partial cataract (anterior polar).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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