Abstract
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and affects many individuals throughout the world. Infection may occur through congenital or acquired routes. The parasites enter the blood circulation and reach both the retina and the retinal pigment epithelium, where they may cause cell damage and cell death. Different routes of access are used by T. gondii to reach the retina through the retinal endothelium: by transmission inside leukocytes, as free parasites through a paracellular route, or after endothelial cell infection. A main feature of OT is the induction of an important inflammatory state, and the course of infection has been shown to be influenced by the host immunogenetics. On the other hand, there is evidence that the T. gondii phenotype also has an impact on the distribution of the pathology in different areas. Although considerable knowledge has been acquired on OT, a deeper knowledge of its mechanisms is necessary to provide new, more targeted treatment strategies. In particular, in addition to in vitro and in vivo experimental models, organotypic, ex vivo retinal explants may be useful in this direction.
Highlights
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is an ocular disease caused by infection of the eye with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and it is the most common cause of eye inflammation in the world
Recent studies have shown that even though all dendritic cells dritic cells (DCs) transmigrate through the retinal endothelium, those infected by T. gondii (DCs) transmigrate through the retinal endothelium, those infected by T. gondii display display hypermotililty and, better capacity to transmigrate compared to uninhypermotililty and, better capacity to transmigrate compared to uninfected fected ones [22]
There are two different models: the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) model, which is used to study the immunopathogenesis of infection, and the retinal endothelium, which mimics the biological barrier between blood and retina, allowing to study how the parasite enters the blood-retina barrier [60]
Summary
Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is an ocular disease caused by infection of the eye with the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and it is the most common cause of eye inflammation in the world. A common feature reported by patients is blurred vision, and the disease tends to resolve spontaneously, more serious, vision-threatening complications such as retinal detachment, choroidal neovascularization and glaucoma, may occur. OT requires treatment to eliminate the parasite and the related inflammation [2]. Toxoplasma infection may take place through congenital or acquired routes. Toxoplasmosis is acquired by eating raw or undercooked meat, vegetables or milk products, or by coming into contact with infected cat litter [3]. We summarise the main features of ocular toxoplasmosis and indicate possible models for study of the disease.
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
