Neuroretinitis in ocular bartonellosis: a case series

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Microbiology

Background:

• Ocular bartonellosis can present as neuroretinitis, a serious vision-threatening condition.
• Bartonella henselae is a common cause of cat scratch disease, which can affect the eyes.
• Prompt diagnosis and treatment are crucial for managing ocular bartonellosis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To report a case series of neuroretinitis in patients with ocular bartonellosis.
• To describe the serologic verification of Bartonella henselae infection.
• To evaluate the treatment outcomes and visual prognosis in affected patients.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective interventional case series of four patients presenting to an ophthalmology clinic.
• Data collected on patient history, clinical presentation, and serologic testing for Bartonella henselae.
• Treatment regimens included systemic antibiotics (azithromycin or doxycycline) and oral steroids for selected cases.

Main Results:

• All four patients had a history of cat contact and preceding fever.
• Neuroretinitis, characterized by optic disc swelling and macular star, was diagnosed in all cases.
• Serologic analysis confirmed Bartonella henselae infection in all patients; most achieved good visual outcomes with treatment.

Conclusions:

• Neuroretinitis is a significant ocular manifestation of Bartonella henselae infection.
• Systemic antibiotics and corticosteroids are effective in treating ocular bartonellosis and improving visual outcomes.
• Early diagnosis and intervention are vital for managing vision-threatening complications of cat scratch disease.