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Ocular Toxocariasis

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Uveitis
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Abstract

Toxocariasis is one of the most common zoonotic infections worldwide caused by the roundworms Toxocara canis and less commonly Toxocara cati. The infections are often asymptomatic however the two most common syndromes are systemic toxocariasis (visceral larva migrans) and ocular toxocariasis (ocular larva migrans). Ocular toxocariasis typically manifests as a monocular, granulomatous uveitis with lesions involving the posterior pole and peripheral retina. The diagnosis is established via supportive clinical findings and serum ELISA assay although anterior chamber antibodies against Toxocara has a higher sensitivity. The treatment is directed against complications arising from intraocular inflammation, and corticosteroids (with and without antihelminthic agents) are the most commonly used medications. The prognosis for visual outcome varies depending upon the age of the patient, quantity of intraocular larvae, ocular structures involved, and host response.

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Correspondence to Sonia Utley .

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Utley, S., Papaliodis, G.N. (2017). Ocular Toxocariasis. In: Papaliodis, G. (eds) Uveitis. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09126-6_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-09126-6_13

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-09125-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-09126-6

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