Peer-reviewed veterinary case report
Feline ocular toxoplasmosis: seroprevalence, diagnosis and treatment outcome of 60 clinical cases.
- Journal:
- Polish journal of veterinary sciences
- Year:
- 2021
- Authors:
- Ali, K M et al.
- Affiliation:
- Department of Surgery
- Species:
- cat
Plain-English summary
This study looked at 105 cats with eye problems to see how many had a common infection called toxoplasmosis, which is caused by a parasite. Out of these cats, 60 tested positive for Toxoplasma gondii, meaning they had the infection. Many of these cats had inflammation in different parts of their eyes, with some showing issues in both eyes, while others had problems in just one. After treatment, about half of the cats responded well, with 28 showing complete recovery, while others had partial or poor responses. The researchers suggest that any cat with eye issues should be tested for toxoplasmosis and treated if the test is positive.
Abstract
Toxoplasmosis is one of the most important protozoa zoonotic diseases worldwide. The present study describes the clinical, seroprevalence findings with ocular toxoplasmosis and the outcome of medicinal treatment of these cats. This study was carried out on 105 cats with various ocular signs, no historical evidence of ocular trauma or drug/vaccine exposure for at least 3 months prior to admission, and without clinical or laboratory evidence of other systemic diseases. Complete case history, physical and ophthalmic examinations were carried out. The seroprevalence of Toxoplasma gondii antibodies was determined using the Toxoplasma Ab Rapid Test and Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Out of 105 examined cats with ocular lesions, 60 cats representing 57.14% were seropositive to T. gondii. Out of these 60 cats, 15 cats (25%) had bilateral ocular abnormalities, 25 cats (41.67%) had right-sided ocular disease, and 20 cats (33.33%) had left-sided ocular disease. There were 38 cats (63.33%) with anterior uveitis, 12 cats (20%) with posterior segment involvement, 5 cats (8.33%) with anterior uveitis and anterior chamber abnormalities, 3 cats (5%) with corneal abnormalities and 2 cats (3.34%) with anterior uveitis with concurrent corneal involvement. There was a significant difference in the index values of IgM and IgG between seropositive and seronegative cats with T. gondii antibodies (p⟨0.05). There was no significant difference between the different ages, genders and breeds of cats with seroprevalence of T. gondii antibodies as well as between the age and total number of cats with seropositive and seronegative T. gondii. Out of 60 treated cats, 28 cats (46.7%), 25 cats (41.7%) and 7 cats (11.6%) showed complete, partial and poor response to treatment, respectively. In conclusion, cats showing ocular signs without obvious etiology should be examined serologically for toxoplasmosis and the seropositive cats should be treated with both specific topical and systemic treatments.
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Search related cases →Original publication: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33847093/