RECURRENT OCULAR TOXOPLASMOSIS IN PATIENTS TREATED WITH SYSTEMIC CORTICOSTEROIDS

Purpose: The authors discuss a possible relationship between systemati c corticosteroid use and reactivation of ocular toxoplasmosis. Methods : Patients were identified who developed foci of recurrent toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis while being treated with systemic corticosteroids. Case histories were reviewed retrospectively. Results: During a 10-yea r interval, three patients were identified at the University of Califo rnia, Los Angeles, who had been receiving systemic corticosteroid ther apy (dose range, 0.27-1.23 mg/kg/day) when they developed recurrent to xoplasmic retinochoroiditis. Disease occurred at intervals of 20 days to approximately 1 year after start of corticosteroid therapy. Lesions were typical in appearance, course, and manner in which they responde d to antimicrobial therapy. Conclusion: Recurrent toxoplasmosis in pat ients receiving corticosteroid therapy probably is uncommon. These cas es do not confirm a causal relationship between corticosteroid use and initiation of disease recurrence.