MULTIFOCAL CHOROIDITIS IN DISSEMINATED SPOROTRICHOSIS IN PATIENTS WITH HIV/AIDS

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Infectious Diseases
• Immunology

Background:

• Disseminated sporotrichosis is a fungal infection that can affect multiple organ systems.
• Patients with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are at increased risk of opportunistic infections.
• Multifocal choroiditis is an inflammatory condition affecting the choroid layer of the eye.

Observation:

• A retrospective study identified three patients with HIV/AIDS and disseminated sporotrichosis.
• These patients presented with ocular manifestations including multifocal choroiditis.
• Other systemic involvements included cutaneous lesions, osteomyelitis, and mucosal and bone marrow disease.

Findings:

• Five eyes across the three patients exhibited multifocal choroiditis.
• CD4+ T-cell counts were low, ranging from 25 to 53 cells/mm³.
• Despite ocular involvement, all patients remained visually asymptomatic. Lesions were primarily located in the posterior pole.

Implications:

• Multifocal choroiditis is a potential ophthalmic complication of disseminated sporotrichosis in severely immunocompromised individuals.
• Early recognition and management of sporotrichosis are crucial in HIV/AIDS patients to prevent systemic and ocular complications.
• This finding highlights the importance of comprehensive evaluation in immunocompromised patients presenting with atypical infections.