Publication:

Presumed ocular toxocara cati infection in Port Harcourt

Toxocariasis is a zoonotic infection transmitted from animals to humans caused by parasitic round worms found in dogs and cats. Ocular toxocariasis is a rare condition caused by toxocara cati that can result in monocular loss of vision. We report an accidental finding of loss of vision in the right eye of a 39-year-old who decided to get an ocular examination following a routine prep talk in an outpatient clinic. Patient was asymptomatic and presenting best corrected visual acuity in the right eye was 6/60. Fundus examination revealed multiple discrete granulomas and a fatty liver revealed on abdominal scan. There is a positive history of living with cats while growing up. We presume this to be a case of toxocara cati. Regular ocular examinations in addition to general medical check-up should be encouraged in pet owners and those handling animals, as well as a high index of suspicion amongst ophthalmologists.