Bilateral Retrobulbar Optic Neuritis Caused by Varicella Zoster Virus in a Patient with AIDS
Journal Title: Journal of Advances in Medicine and Medical Research - Year 2015, Vol 5, Issue 11
Abstract
Aims: To report on a case of bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis in a patient with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by varicella-zoster virus (VZV); and to review the literature focusing on: cases reported, epidemiology, pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Presentation of Case: A 38-year-old woman with AIDS presented with a 10-day history of progressive bilateral visual loss and ocular pain. She had bilateral dilated pupils with no light perception; the fundoscopic examination was normal. Facial herpes zoster lesions appeared on the second day of hospitalization Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings were compatible with a bilateral optic neuritis; the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) showed pleocytosis, increased proteins and a positive VZV-DNA PCR. She was treated with intravenous acyclovir and corticosteroids and was able, when discharged 2 weeks after admission, to carry out activities of daily living. Discussion: VZV retrobulbar optic neuritis has previously been reported in 12 patients with AIDS, more than half of the cases had concomitant herpes zoster and an associated retinopathy. A positive VZV-DNA in the CSF is indicative of VZV infection, initial use of intravenous acyclovir is recommended, and the concomitant use of corticosteroids would be a prudent choice; the duration of antiviral therapy remains undefined. Conclusion: VZV retrobulbar optic neuritis in AIDS patients can occur with or without herpes zoster. It is a sight-threatening infectious and inflammatory process requiring the advice of specialists in infectious diseases, ophthalmology, neurology and viral microbiology.
Authors and Affiliations
Jose F. Duda, Jose G. Castro
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP347097
- DOI 10.9734/BJMMR/2015/14259
- Views 67
- Downloads 0
Streptococcus Toxic Shock Syndrome Due to Non Haemolytic Streptococcus pyogenes
Aim: Describe the detection of an unusual pathogen associated with a common clinical presentation with abrupt worsening. Case Presentation: We present the case of a 36-year-old Peruvian male who presented to the E...
Simple Interrupted vs. Continuous Suturing in Abdominal Fascia Closure – A Thermographic Analysis in Rabbits
Aims: Thermography is an accepted method in different medical fields to detect and to visualize differences in the blood supply of tissue while following their temperature distribution. In this study, we compare the temp...
An Evaluation of 605 Endoscopic Examination in a Rural Setting, Lacor Hospital in Northern Uganda
Introduction: The aim of this study was to evaluate the profile of esophagogastroduodenal (EGDS) diseases diagnosed by upper endoscopy in a rural area of Uganda in a retro-protective study of 605 patients. Results: The m...
Macrocystic Lymphatic Malformation: A Rare Cause of Acute Abdomen
Lymphatic malformation (lymphangioma) is an uncommon benign vascular tumour with unknown etiology, which is rarely seen in the abdomen. Clinically it may present with acute abdominal pain requiring surgery and may mimic...
Management of Radicular Cyst of Primary Molar: Case Report & Literature Review
There are various inflammatory lesions seen in the oral cavity of children. Radicular cysts are odontogenic in origin and rare in the primary dentition, representing only 0.5 to 3.3% of the total number of radicular cyst...