Ocular Toxoplasmosis: Mechanisms of Retinal Infection and Experimental Models

Ocular toxoplasmosis (OT) is caused by the parasite Toxoplasma gondii and affects many individuals throughout world. Infection may occur through congenital or acquired routes. The parasites enter blood circulation reach both retina retinal pigment epithelium, where they cause cell damage death. Different routes of access are used T. to endothelium: transmission inside leukocytes, as free a paracellular route, after endothelial infection. A main feature OT induction an important inflammatory state, course infection has been shown be influenced host immunogenetics. On other hand, there evidence that phenotype also impact on distribution pathology in different areas. Although considerable knowledge OT, deeper its mechanisms necessary provide new, more targeted treatment strategies. In particular, addition vitro vivo experimental models, organotypic, ex explants useful this direction.