Risk factors for Toxoplasma chorioretinitis reactivation - 1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Factors associated with reactivation of toxoplasma chorioretinitis in immunocompetent adults: a retrospective case-control study
IRAS ID
290896
Contact name
N G I R De Silva
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Moorflieds Eye Hospital
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 3 months, 2 days
Research summary
Toxoplasma chorioretinitis (TCR) is the commonest cause of infectious ocular inflammation in humans. It is caused by an intracellular parasite, Toxoplasma gondii where humans are recognised as an intermediate host in its life cycle.
Although TCR is considered a self-limiting condition in immunocompetent individuals, there is evidence to suggest that episodes of reactivation are quite frequent (40-70%) with most recurrences occurring within 1 year of the previous episode. Each episode of reactivation results in the destruction of a little more retinal tissue, which cannot regenerate. When enough retinal tissue or even a small but critical area of the retina is affected, it could lead to permanent legal blindness.
Studies have shown that long term chemoprophylaxis may be beneficial in preventing reactivation in TCR, but this needs to be counterbalanced by the risks of adverse effects of long term antibiotic therapy and antibiotic resistance. So it would be beneficial to identify those at most risk of developing a recurrence as it is they who would benefit from chemoprophylaxis for secondary prevention the most. It is important to identify these potential factors which may have a bearing on the reactivation of toxoplasma chorioretinitis. Unfortunately, there is a paucity of studies investigating these factors so this information is lacking.
In this study, we hope to compare patients who had a reactivation and those who did not, and look back at their history differences that might give us a clue about possible risk factors within demographic features, the appearance of the retinal lesions and the type of treatment they had.
REC name
South Central - Berkshire B Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
21/SC/0146
Date of REC Opinion
22 Apr 2021
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion