In comparing toxoplasmosis and histoplasmosis, which statement about vitritis is true?

• A. Toxoplasmosis is more likely to have vitritis
• B. Histoplasmosis is more likely to have vitritis
• C. Both are equally likely to cause vitritis
• D. Neither causes vitritis

Answer: (A)

Vitritis is the presence of inflammatory cells in the vitreous. In ocular toxoplasmosis, the active retinochoroiditis elicits a brisk inflammatory response, so dense vitreous haze is common and often helps identify the condition (the retina is seen through a cloudy vitreous, giving a “headlight in the fog” appearance). In contrast, the typical histoplasmosis presentation—presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome—features peripheral chorioretinal scars with little to no vitreous inflammation; vitritis is not a prominent or defining finding. Because toxoplasmosis more reliably produces noticeable vitritis, the statement that it is more likely to have vitritis is true.