TOXOPLASMOSIS
Toxoplasma gondii may occur in congenital or acquired forms. Typically, the infants become congenitally infected only if the mother acquires the disease immediately prior to or during gestation. If the infection occurs late in pregnancy, the congenital manifestations may be asymptomatic. In these cases, the disease may only become apparent as a chorioretinal scar in childhood (Figure 8-22). Acquired toxoplasmosis is usually mild in immunocompetent hosts. However, in immunocompromised hosts, the infection may produce a severe necrotizing retinitis. [
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71][72] If the diagnosis is difficult, a vitrectomy and retinal biopsy may be preformed. Intraocular washings may reveal cysts with typical bradyzoites (Figure 8-23). Histopathology confirms the presence of a severe necrotizing infection with organisms found in the retina (Figure 8-24). [
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