Epidemiological Factors Associated with Ocular Toxoplasmosis among Patients with Diabetic Retinopathy

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic disease that causes numerous vascular and neurological complications. Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most prominent of these complications due to the damage it causes to the retinal blood vessels and visual disturbances leading to impaired vision and vision loss. When infection with ocular toxoplasmosis occurs, the retinal inflammation intensifies due to the interaction between the vascular damage caused by diabetes and the inflammatory response triggered by the parasite, leading to worsening of the infection and increased severity of symptoms and ocular complications. The current study aimed to investigate the epidemiology of ocular toxoplasmosis among patients with diabetic retinopathy, while also evaluating the most important factors associated with infection and its accompanying clinical symptoms. The results showed that the incidence of ocular toxoplasmosis reached 20% among patients with diabetic retinopathy. The infection rate was also found to be higher in females compared to males and in the 60-69 age group, indicating an increased susceptibility with advancing age. Furthermore, the results showed a higher incidence rate among rural populations compared to urban populations. In urban areas, in addition to a clear association with cat breeding, where the exposure rate reached 45%, the results showed that unilateral eye infection was more common than bilateral infection, while high light sensitivity was the most prominent clinical symptom among patients. These results indicate a relationship between some demographic and environmental factors and the increased likelihood of developing ocular toxoplasmosis in diabetic retinopathy patients, which confirms the importance of early diagnosis and periodic follow-up to reduce visual complications and improve the health status of patients.