The influence of patient age on various features of ocular toxoplasmosis has been a subject of study for many
years. The age at which
Toxoplasma gondii
infection occurs in different populations is related to socioeconomic factors
and studies suggest that ocular toxoplasmosis is a more severe disease at the extremes of age. The prevalence of
ocular involvement is markedly different between individuals with congenital and those with post-natally acquired
infections. Even among those with post-natally acquired infections, age influences the risk and timing of ocular
involvement. The severity of toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis (in terms of lesion size, location and associated inflammation)
is also affected by patient age at the time of initial infection or recurrence. The risk of recurrent toxoplasmic
retinochoroiditis is influenced by age at the time of initial infection and age at most recent episode of active disease.
Understanding of relationships between ocular toxoplasmosis and patient age is incomplete; evidence has often
been indirect and in some cases conflicting. The influence of patient age on ocular toxoplasmosis should be studied
in a systematic manner to provide a better understanding of disease mechanisms and to provide clinical information
that can used to establish better strategies for disease treatment and prevention.
