Isolated ocular Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction after initiating tuberculostatic therapy in a child

After being exposed to a kindergarten teacher with infectious pulmonary tuberculosis, a7-year-old girl with a positive tuberculin skin test was treated with isoniazid. 3 days after initiation of the tuberculostatic therapy, the girl was referred to our hospital with an acute onset of blurred vision. Visual acuity (VA) was 20/200 in both eyes. Examination revealed mild anterior chamber inflammation, optic disc swelling, cystoid macular edema and periphlebitis in both eyes. However, although active tuberculosis was ruled out, the interferon-gamma release assay was positive. The anti-tuberculosis therapy was intensified with pyrazinamide, isoniazid, rifampicin and methylprednisolone. Within 10 days we saw a resolution of the macular edema and VA was 20/25. The paradoxical worsening of the patient’s condition after initiation of tuberculostatic therapy with isoniazid and the prompt response to systemic steroids are typical for Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction (JHR). Our patient presented no symptoms before the isoniazid therapy was started and the reaction was ocular without any generalized symptoms. This is unique among all other reported cases of ocular JHR.