[Diagnosis and treatment of eye infections caused by the canine ascaris larva Toxocara canis].

UNLABELLED

In the years 1990-1993 the authors diagnosed and treated 48 children on account of uveitis probably caused by Toxocara canis. This etiology was established in 43 cases based on the characteristic clinical picture and presence of antibodies as determined by the ELISA test for Toxocara in serum, anterior chamber fluid and vitreous. Diagnostic punction of anterior chamber was done in 30 cases (in 18 titres were positive, in 7 higher than in serum), in 3 the level of antibodies were determined in vitreous. In 30 patients Hetrazan, in 3 Hetrazan and Mintezol was applied; in 31 together with Encorton.

SURGICAL TREATMENT

vitrectomy and lensectomy were done in 9 children. Improvement of visual acuity was achieved in 41.9% of cases, deterioration in 9.3%. In 33 cases the active signs of vitritis recovered after 2-6 months of treatment, recurrence was observed in 4. An increase of serum titres was found in 10 children in early period after treatment, in 15 they decreased after 6-18 months and in 18 treatment had no influence on the titres level. A relationship was found between the level of titres in anterior chamber and vitreous and the activity and duration of intraocular inflammation.