Bartonella henselae as a cause of optical nerve neuritis

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Bartonella henselae is included into the group of gram-negative bacteria that can cause not so rare disease known as cat-scratch disease (CSD). This disease is characterized by the specific general symptoms, and the complications in the eyes can be manifested in the form of neuroretinitis, follicular conjunctivitis and focal chorioretinitis. In this paper clinical and epidemiological characteristics of a patient with ophthalmologic complications caused by Bartonella henselae are described. We indicate diagnostic possibilities and the criteria for making the diagnosis. CASE REPORT: We presented a 42-year-old female patient with CSD symptoms, and with a registered neuritis as an ophthalmologic complication. Two weeks after the occurrence of a scratch on the hand after the contact with a cat, there was a slight lymphadenopathy of the axial area of the left side, accompanied by light febrility and weakness. A week after these symptoms occuring, the patient complained of a reduction of the visual acuity in her left eye. The established visual acuity in the left eye was 0.1 with ophthalmological findings of a light edema of the optical disk and a partial star-like edema in the nasal half of the macula. Central scotoma was present, with the extension of the blind spot and the constriction of central isopter of the left eye visual field. Fluorescein biomicroscopy revealed an intensive leaking of fluoresceins at the level of optical disk and macular region in an early arterial phase, without the appearance of pathological phenomena at the level of retinal blood vessels. With the application of doxycyline 100 mg two times a day, and systemic application of prednisolone (at the initial doses of 120 mg), after a two-week period, there was a full recovery of the visual acuity, out the optical disk edema, and the presence of light edema in the left eye macula receded. The complete disappearance of the edema in the macula was registered four weeks following the application of the therapy. CONCLUSION: Cat-scratch disease can be recognized by means of characteristic general symptoms, and it must be considered in persons with ophthalmologic picture of neuroretinitis. In spite of the good prognosis for the general condition of a patient, it is advised to apply antibiotic therapy in the cases where ophthalmologic complications appear. We recommend the application of doxycyline 100 mg two times a day, for a month. When pronounced edema of the optical disk and edema in the macula are present, a systematic application of corticosteroids is necessary.