PL EN
CASE REPORT
Alternative Treatment of Recurrent Ocular Toxoplasmosis in Pregnant Women – Case Report
,
 
Mariusz Spyra 1,2, E-F
 
 
 
More details
Hide details
1
Department of Ophthalmology, Zofia Tarnowska née Zamoyska Regional Hospital in Tarnobrzeg, Poland Head of Department: Mariusz Spyra, PhD, MD
 
2
Visum Clinic, Non-Public Healthcare Center, Rzeszów, Poland
 
 
A - Research concept and design; B - Collection and/or assembly of data; C - Data analysis and interpretation; D - Writing the article; E - Critical revision of the article; F - Final approval of article
 
 
Submission date: 2025-10-30
 
 
Acceptance date: 2025-11-23
 
 
Publication date: 2026-01-15
 
 
Corresponding author
Karolina Agnieszka Korycińska   

Ophthalmology, 1 Oddział Okulistyki Wojewódzkiego Szpitala im. Zofii z Zamoyskich Tarnowskiej w Tarnobrzegu (Kierownik Ośrodka: Dr n. med. Mariusz Spyra) 2 Visum Clinic, Niepubliczny Zakład Opieki Zdrowotnej, Rzeszów, Poland
 
 
Ophthalmology 2025;28(3)
 
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Ocular toxoplasmosis, caused by the protozoan Toxoplasma gondii, often presents as an inflammatory lesion involving the choroid and retina. In many countries, it represents the most common cause of posterior uveitis. One of the typical forms is recurrent, unilateral, necrotizing retinitis with secondary choroiditis adjacent to a pigmented retinochoroidal scar, with or without involvement of the vitreous body. Standard treatment involves oral administration of pyrimethamine and sulfadiazine in combination with glucocorticosteroids. Other agents that may be used in treatment include azithromycin, trimethoprim–sulfamethoxazole, clindamycin, and atovaquone. However, the considerable toxicity of these drugs and their systemic combinations necessitates the search for alternative therapeutic approaches. One such option is local treatment in the form of intravitreal injections in cases of ocular reactivation of infection. Material, methods, and results: The present report outlines an effective diagnostic and therapeutic process in a 28-year-old patient in the second trimester of pregnancy with reactivation of a Toxoplasma gondii–related scar located along the papillomacular bundle, with partial involvement of the macula. Conclusions: Intravitreal injection of 1 mg of clindamycin and 400 µg of dexamethasone is an acceptable and safe alternative to standard treatment. This approach is associated with greater patient convenience and a safer systemic adverse-effect profile. The treatment is effective and, in certain patient groups – including pregnant women – may be the only viable option.
REFERENCES (21)
1.
Ozgonul C, Besirli CG: Recent Developments in the Diagnosis and Treatment of Ocular Toxoplasmosis. Ophthalmic Res. 2017; 57(1): 1–12. doi: 10.1159/000449169. Epub 2016 Oct 11. PMID: 27723657.
 
2.
Jabs DA: Ocular toxoplasmosis. Int Ophthalmol Clin. 1990; 30: 264–270.
 
3.
Montoya JG, Liesenfeld O: Toxoplasmosis. Lancet. 2004; 363: 1965–1976.
 
4.
Perkins ES: Ocular toxoplasmosis. Br J Ophthalmol. 1973; 57: 1–17.
 
5.
Atmaca LS, Simsek T, Batioglu F: Clinical features and prognosis in ocular toxoplasmosis. Jpn J Ophthalmol. 2004; 48: 386–391.
 
6.
Eraghi AT, Garweg JG, Pleyer U: The role of age in ocular toxoplasmosis: clinical signs of immunosenescence and inflammaging. Front Med (Lausanne). 2024 Mar 5.
 
7.
Bosch-Driessen LE, Berendschot TT, Ongkosuwito JV, et al.: Ocular toxoplasmosis: clinical features and prognosis of 154 patients. Ophthalmology. 2002; 109: 869–878.
 
8.
Kim SJ, Scott IU, Brown GC, et al.: Interventions for toxoplasma retinochoroiditis: a report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology. Ophthalmology. 2013; 120: 371–378.
 
9.
Harrell M, Carvounis PE: Current treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis: an evidencebased review. J Ophthalmol. 2014: 273506. doi: 10.1155/2014/273506.
 
10.
Park YH, Nam HW: Clinical features and treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis. Korean J Parasitol. 2013; 51: 393–399.
 
11.
Friedmann CT, Knox DL: Variations in recurrent active toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Arch Ophthalmol. 1969; 81: 481–493.
 
12.
Butler NJ, Furtado JM, Winthrop KL, Smith JR: Ocular toxoplasmosis. II. Clinical features, pathology and management. Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 2013; 41: 95–108.
 
13.
Stanford MR, Gilbert RE: Treating ocular toxoplasmosis: current evidence. Mem Inst Oswaldo Cruz. 2009; 104: 312–315.
 
14.
Holland GN: Ocular toxoplasmosis: a global reassessment. Part II: Disease manifestations and management. Am J Ophthalmol. 2004; 137: 1–17.
 
15.
Eyles DE, Coleman N: Antibiotics in the treatment of toxoplasmosis. Am J Trop Med Hyg. 1953; 2: 64–69.
 
16.
Soheilian M, Ramezani A, Azimzadeh A, et al.: Randomized trial of intravitreal clindamycin and dexamethasone versus pyrimethamine, sulfadiazine, and prednisolone in treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis. Ophthalmology. 2011; 118: 134–141.
 
17.
Sobrin L, Kump LI, Foster CS: Intravitreal clindamycin for toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Retina 2007; 27: 952–957.
 
18.
Hosseini SM, Abrishami M, Mehdi Zadeh M: Intravitreal clindamycin in the treatment of unresponsive zone one toxoplasmic chorioretinitis: a case report. Iran Red Crescent Med J. 2014; 16: e15428.
 
19.
Rogaczewska M, Stopa M: Leczenie toksoplazmozy ocznej za pomocą doszklistkowych iniekcji klindamycyny: opis dwóch przypadków. Klin Oczna. 2021; 123, 1: 42–45.
 
20.
Arevalo JF, Belfort R, Muccioli C, et al.: Ocular Toxoplasmosis in the Developing Word. International Ophthalmology Clinics. Vol. 50, Number 2: 57–69.
 
21.
de-la-Torre A, Stanford M, Curi A, et al.: Therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis. Ocul Immunol Inflamm. 2011; 19: 314–320.
 
eISSN:1689-362X
ISSN:1505-2753
Journals System - logo
Scroll to top