Current Practices in Ocular Toxoplasmosis: A Survey of Brazilian Uveitis Specialists

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To describe treatment practices for ocular toxoplasmosis among members of the Brazilian Uveitis Society.

Methods: An online questionnaire sent to specialists, between October 2014 and March 2015.

Results: Most respondents (67.9%) treat all active cases. Most specialists consider visual acuity <20/200 (88.2%), severe vitreous inflammation (94.1%), and ocular disease during acquired infection (88.2%) as absolute indications for treatment. Systemic steroids are associated with anti-toxoplasmic therapy in most cases by 50.9% of the respondents. For immunocompetent individuals, 57.4% of the respondents chose trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. Classical therapy (sulfadiazine/pyrimethamine) is preferred most for patients with central lesions (70.4%), immunosuppression (68.4%), acquired infection (70.4%), and atypical forms (74.1%). For patients with frequent relapses, 84.9% of the respondents preferred antibiotic prophylaxis.

Conclusions: Treatment patterns of ocular toxoplasmosis are not uniform among Brazilian specialists. Most specialists treat all cases of active retinochoroiditis. Typical cases are more frequently treated with trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole. However, classical therapy is the regimen of choice when lesions are considered more severe.

Keywords:

• Antibiotics
• ocular toxoplasmosis
• practices
• specialists
• survey
• treatment
• uveitis

DECLARATION OF INTEREST

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.