[Bilateral panuveitis with serous retinal detachment]

A 45-year-old patient with cat scratch disease presented with bilateral panuveitis as well as bilateral serous detachment of the retina. The patient had suffered from influenza with swollen lymph nodes 2 weeks previously.

The diagnosis could be made serologically: IgG and IgM antibodies against Bartonella henselae were highly positive in the immunofluorescence test and the values for inflammation were also strongly increased.

A macular star developed during the course, more in the left eye than in the right eye. The patient was treated with a sulfonamide (Bactrim forte) and prednisolonacetate (Urbason), which was changed to doxyzycline (Doxybene) after an allergic reaction developed. Clinical findings were reduced significantly and visual acuity improved.

Bartonella henselae should be excluded when panuveitis occurs with serous retinal detachment. A uveitis anterior could precede this occurrence.