OCULAR TOXOCARIASIS IN AUSTRIA (2 CASES)

History and clinical findings: Two women (aged 21 and 44 years) were r eferred because of a suspect retinal lesion. An ophthalmological exami nation in both revealed prominent retinal granulomatous foci, probably ocular toxocariasis. Both women were otherwise well; both reported cl ose contact with dogs. investigations: Among a full array of laborator y tests the only major pathologic findings were high antibody titres a gainst Toxocara canis (patient 1: 70 antibody units [AU]; patient 2: > 100 AU), specific antibodies in the ELISA and Western blot tests conf irming the diagnosis of T. canis infection. Diagnosis, treatment and c ourse: Both patients were treated with prednisolone (initially 75 mg/d , gradually decreasing over 4 months) and albendazole (Z x 800 mg/d fo r 6 days), with complete healing of the chorioretinal foci, Conclusion : General physicians as well as ophthalmologists should more often inc lude Toxocara canis infection in the differential diagnosis, because t he larvae, in their migration through the body, can infest various org ans where they can cause inflammatory or allergic reactions.