A case of Bartonella neuroretinitis with macular star diagnosed by clinical, epidemiological, serological, and molecular data: resolution after initiation of antimicrobial therapy

Abstract The differential diagnosis of optic neuritis is broad and varied. We report the case of a 24-year-old Brazilian man who presented with five-week history of fever, malaise, myalgia, severe fatigue, tender right preauricular lymphadenopathy, and acute vision blurring associated with right optic disc swelling and exudates in a macular star pattern. His illness developed soon after an infestation of fleas broke out among his cats. Diagnosis of ocular bartonellosis was confirmed by serological and molecular analyses targeting amplification of Bartonella spp. htrA gene. Signs and symptoms only improved after initiation of antimicrobial therapy.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eyer-Silva,Walter de Araujo, Wutke,Letícia Stéfanie Curvello, Paiva,Alexandre de Carvalho Mendes, Silva,Guilherme Almeida Rosa da, Ferry,Fernando Raphael de Almeida, Signorini,Dario José Hart Pontes, Oliveira,Jonathan Gonçalves de, Lemos,Elba Regina Sampaio
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical - SBMT 2020
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0037-86822020000100713
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Summary:Abstract The differential diagnosis of optic neuritis is broad and varied. We report the case of a 24-year-old Brazilian man who presented with five-week history of fever, malaise, myalgia, severe fatigue, tender right preauricular lymphadenopathy, and acute vision blurring associated with right optic disc swelling and exudates in a macular star pattern. His illness developed soon after an infestation of fleas broke out among his cats. Diagnosis of ocular bartonellosis was confirmed by serological and molecular analyses targeting amplification of Bartonella spp. htrA gene. Signs and symptoms only improved after initiation of antimicrobial therapy.