Pathogenesis of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma gondii is an important cause of ocular di sease both in immunosuppressed and immunocompetent individuals. Non-ocular infections are not usually serious ill otherwise healthy adults. In contras t, toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is a progressive, recurring disease that c an cause severe morbidity. Here, Fiona Roberts and Rima McLeod review the d emography, pathology and clinical findings of this disease. They discuss me chanisms of retinal destruction and disease recurrences, and the local immu nological response at this immune-privileged site.