Long-term follow-up of chronic Lyme neuroretinitis

The authors report sequential fluorescein angiographic and color photographic findings of the fundi and response to treatment in a patient with chronic Lyme neuroretinitis.

A Lyme enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with purified 41-kd flagellin as antigen was used to detect immunoglobulin G and immunoglobulin M antibodies to Borrelia burgdorferi in serum, cerebrospinal fluid, and vitreous. The changes were documented by fluorescein angiography and color photography tests performed during a 5 1/2 year follow-up.

The diagnosis of Lyme neuroretinitis was based on the history of erythema migrans and positive Lyme enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay tests from cerebrospinal fluid and vitreous and by the exclusion of other infectious and systemic diseases and uveitis entities. Fluorescein angiography results disclosed bilateral chronic neuroretinal edema with areas of cystoid, patchy, and diffuse hyperfluorescence peripapillary and in the macular areas. The hyperfluorescent lesions enlarged despite a 9-month period of antibiotic therapy.

Lyme borreliosis may cause neuroretinitis with unusual angiographic findings. Chronic Lyme neuroretinitis may be unresponsive to antibiotic therapy.