Immune Mediators against Toxoplasma Gondii during Reactivation of Toxoplasmic Retinochoroiditis

RUDZINSKI, MARCELO; ARGÜELLES, CARINA; COUTO, CRISTÓBAL; OUBIÑA, JOSÉ R.; REINA, SILVIA

OCULAR IMMUNOLOGY AND INFLAMMATION

Taylor & Francis

Año: 2018 vol. 27 p. 949 - 957

0927-3948

Purpose: The purpose of this article is to analyze possible associations between systemic and ocular cytokine levels and specific clinical ophthalmologic signs from patients with a reactivation of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (RTR). Methods: A total of 18 patients with an active RTR episode, 8 patients with inactive scars, and 14 control patients were included in the study. Serum samples and aqueous humor (AH) samples were analyzed for IFN (interferon)-γ, interleukin (IL)-10, and IL-6 levels by ELISA. Inflammation grade, location, and size of the retinochoroidal active lesion, sampling time, and time to resolution were recorded. Results: A significantly negative correlation between AH and serum levels of IFN-γ was detected (p < 0.05). Patients with an AH IFN-γ/IL-10 ratio lower than 1 were associated with the longest time to resolution and/or severe complications. Conclusion: Serum IFN-γ levels may be used as a prognostic marker for both time to resolution and the development of possible severe complications during a given RTR episode.