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Atovaquone for the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Pearson, PA; Piracha, AR; Sen, HA; Jaffe, GJ
Published in: Ophthalmology
January 1999

OBJECTIVE: To report the results of a phase I trial to evaluate the safety and efficacy of atovaquone for the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients. DESIGN: Open label, nonrandomized, prospective, clinical trial. PARTICIPANTS: Seventeen immunocompetent patients between the ages of 18 and 75 years with clinical and serologic evidence of ocular toxoplasmosis participated. INTERVENTION: Treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis with atovaquone tablets (750 mg four times a day) for 3 months. Prednisone (40 mg) tablets were added on day 3 of treatment and tapered as inflammation resolved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Clinical response and patient tolerance to atovaquone therapy for ocular toxoplasmosis. RESULTS: Average follow-up was 10 months. Most patients experienced no adverse treatment effects. When present, side effects were usually mild and included rash, pruritus, headache, and nausea. With the exception of one patient, who discontinued treatment at 6 weeks secondary to persistent epigastric discomfort, all patients completed the 12 weeks of therapy. All patients had a favorable response to treatment that began within 1 to 3 weeks. Visual acuity was stabilized or improved in all patients. Median initial visual acuity was 20/200 and median final visual acuity was 20/25. In general, atovaquone was well tolerated. CONCLUSIONS: Atovaquone is better tolerated than conventional antitoxoplasmosis therapy and appears to be at least as effective. Atovaquone is a promising alternative for the treatment of ocular toxoplasmosis in immunocompetent patients.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Ophthalmology

DOI

ISSN

0161-6420

Publication Date

January 1999

Volume

106

Issue

1

Start / End Page

148 / 153

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Visual Acuity
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular
  • Safety
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Middle Aged
  • Immunocompetence
  • Humans
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Pearson, P. A., Piracha, A. R., Sen, H. A., & Jaffe, G. J. (1999). Atovaquone for the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients. Ophthalmology, 106(1), 148–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(99)90021-0
Pearson, P. A., A. R. Piracha, H. A. Sen, and G. J. Jaffe. “Atovaquone for the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients.Ophthalmology 106, no. 1 (January 1999): 148–53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0161-6420(99)90021-0.
Pearson PA, Piracha AR, Sen HA, Jaffe GJ. Atovaquone for the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients. Ophthalmology. 1999 Jan;106(1):148–53.
Pearson, P. A., et al. “Atovaquone for the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients.Ophthalmology, vol. 106, no. 1, Jan. 1999, pp. 148–53. Pubmed, doi:10.1016/S0161-6420(99)90021-0.
Pearson PA, Piracha AR, Sen HA, Jaffe GJ. Atovaquone for the treatment of toxoplasma retinochoroiditis in immunocompetent patients. Ophthalmology. 1999 Jan;106(1):148–153.
Journal cover image

Published In

Ophthalmology

DOI

ISSN

0161-6420

Publication Date

January 1999

Volume

106

Issue

1

Start / End Page

148 / 153

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • Visual Acuity
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Toxoplasmosis, Ocular
  • Safety
  • Prospective Studies
  • Ophthalmology & Optometry
  • Naphthoquinones
  • Middle Aged
  • Immunocompetence
  • Humans