Rift Valley fever ocular manifestations: observations during the 1977 epidemic in Egypt

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Virology
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rift Valley fever (RVF) virus is a mosquito-borne pathogen known to cause febrile illness and hemorrhagic fever in humans.
• Ocular involvement is a recognized but less common manifestation of RVF infection.

Observation:

• A study was conducted during a 1977 RVF epidemic in Egypt.
• Seven serologically diagnosed patients with ocular manifestations were analyzed using color photography and fluorescein angiography.

Findings:

• The most common ocular findings were macular, paramacular, and extramacular retinal lesions, frequently bilateral.
• Associated complications included hemorrhage, edema, vasculitis, retinitis, and vascular occlusion.
• While lesions showed resorption over six months, approximately 50% of patients experienced permanent visual acuity loss.

Implications:

• Ocular disease is a significant component of the RVF clinical spectrum.
• Understanding these manifestations is crucial for managing RVF patients and predicting visual outcomes.
• Further research into RVF pathogenesis and treatment may mitigate long-term visual impairment.