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Published on: April 14, 2014

Recurrent optic neuritis associated with Chlamydia pneumoniae infection of the central nervous system

Daniela Pohl1, Kevin Rostasy, Jens Gieffers

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Paediatric Neurology, Georg August University Göttingen, Germany.

Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology
|August 15, 2006
PubMed

Insights

Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) infection may contribute to optic neuritis. A 12-year-old patient recovered after antibiotic treatment, suggesting C. pneumoniae as a potential cause.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Ophthalmology

Background:

  • Chlamydia pneumoniae (C. pneumoniae) is implicated in central nervous system (CNS) diseases.
  • Optic neuritis, an inflammatory condition of the optic nerve, affects vision.

Observation:

  • A 12-year-old male experienced recurrent optic neuritis with three attacks in five months.
  • C. pneumoniae infection was detected in the cerebrospinal fluid via polymerase chain reaction.

Findings:

  • Diagnosis of CNS infection with C. pneumoniae was confirmed.
  • Treatment with rifampicin led to no further optic neuritis attacks over a 6-year follow-up.

Implications:

  • C. pneumoniae infection is a potential contributing or causative factor in optic neuritis.
  • Antibiotic therapy may be effective in managing C. pneumoniae-associated optic neuritis.

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