Evaluation of the early diagnosis of uveitis toxoplasma using only western blot

Abstract

AbstractPurpose The aim of this study is to evaluate which methods, between the Goldmann‐Witmer coefficient (GWC) and immunoblotting (IB), in aqueous humor samples, can be sufficient, associated with clinical findings, to diagnosis ocular toxoplasmosis, in running practice, especially in the first three weeks.Methods Ocular Toxoplasmosis (OT) is one of the most frequent causes of posterior uveitis. The diagnosis of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis is based upon ophthalmoscopic findings and can often allow the clinician to start specific treatment when needed. But in most cases, laboratory tests are required to confirm the etiology, especially when other diseases are suspected and cannot be ruled out by the lonely clinical findings. Thirty patients with ocular toxoplasmosis and 36 patients with other ocular inflammatory diseases were analyzed by these two methods.Results The GWC was significant (GWC > 3) in 57.9% patients presenting OT. IB was positive in 85.3% of samples. The combination of these two methods increases the sensitivity to 89.2%. Based upon the interval between symptom onset and paracentesis, IB has a greater sensitivity than GWC when sample of aqueous humor (AH) was taken in the first three weeks (78.6% verus 35.7%).Conclusion IB seems to be more useful than the GWC if only one of these methods can be perform and especially in the first three weeks. On top of that, IB is easier to perform and require a smaller sample.