Toxocara Optic Neuropathy After Ingestion of Raw Meat Products

Purpose: To report Toxocara optic neuropathy in five men with histories of ingestion of raw meat, liver, or blood.

Case Report: Five men in their 30s to 60s presented with unilateral visual disturbance. All five had a history of ingesting raw meat, liver, or blood products. All five men presented with optic disc edema and three also showed granulomatous infiltration of the retina. With Goldmann or Humphrey visual field testing, two patients showed central scotomas and two exhibited arcuate defects. Serum eosinophil count and total IgE were elevated in four patients. Serum enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay testing was positive for Toxocara canis IgG in all five cases.

Conclusions: This report shows the variable clinical presentations of Toxocara optic neuropathy and the importance of questioning for a history of eating raw meat and blood products as a risk factor.