Clinical Features and Multimodal Imaging in Atypical Posterior Uveitis Secondary to Bartonella Henselae Infection

To characterize an unusual presentation of infectious posterior uveitis using multimodal imaging, and discuss the clinical decision-making involved in diagnosis and treatment.

Wide-field fundus photography, swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT), swept-source OCT angiography, fluorescein angiography, and indocyanine green angiography.

This patient presented with cyclical fevers and blurry vision. Fundus examination revealed bilateral optic disc edema, macular intraretinal white spots and many scattered yellow-white chorioretinal lesions. Multimodal imaging characteristics suggested that many of these lesions represent choroidal granulomas. Extensive systemic workup was only notable for borderline elevated Bartonella henselae IgG titers (1:128), however convalescent IgG titers were elevated at 38 days (1:512) supporting the diagnosis of Bartonella chorioretinitis.

Ocular manifestations of Bartonella henselae infection are varied and may include choroidal granulomas. Multimodal imaging characteristics may help identify etiologies of infectious uveitis. Convalescent titers are important when evaluating patients with suspected Bartonellosis, especially patients with atypical presentations.