Branch retinal artery occlusion secondary to Bartonella henselae infection in a 13 year-old

Abstract

Purpose: To summarize the case of a 13 year-old boy diagnosed with a BRAO secondary to B. henselae infection. Observations: The patient presented with a sudden, unilateral, and painless scotoma. Fundoscopic findings and multimodal imaging were consistent with a BRAO with associated areas of intraretinal whitening along the involved artery. Upon further questioning, the patient reported having 15 cats at home. Antibodies were positive for B. henselae. The patient was treated with oral doxycycline 100 mg twice daily for 2 months with complete resolution of the retinal findings and the scotoma. Conclusions and importance: B. henselae should be considered as a potential cause of retinitis and BRAO, even in pediatric-aged patients.