acyclovir and Papilledema

We report on the case of a young immunocompetent female patient with parainfectious optic neuritis and macular inflitrate due to Neisseria meningitidis B meningitis.. Case report RESULTS: A 22-year-old female patient was admitted to the emergency department for intensive care treatment with a strong suspicion of meningitis. Clinical and serological parameters were indicative of a bacterial genesis of the meningitis. By analysis of the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) Neisseria meningitidis type B could be detected. Subjective and objective symptoms could be improved by immediate intravenous administration of antibiotics; however, 1 day before discharge the patient complained of a sudden left-sided, painful loss of vision with extreme photophobia. The ophthalmoscopic examination revealed profound ciliary injection with slight anterior uveitis and papilledema with macular infiltration and diffuse petechiae-like retinal hemorrhage. After exclusion of viral proliferation in the CSF systemic steroid therapy was carried out together with continuation of antibiotic therapy and the eye was treated with local steroids and mydriatics. This resulted in healing of the ocular inflammation and partial recovery of vision.. The painful loss of vision in this patient is probably due to parainfectious optic neuritis with macular infiltrate from Neisseria meningitidis B meningitis, which is an unusual course. Despite the rarity of this disease the complication of a parainfectious inflammation of the optic nerve should be considered and appropriate steps taken when the corresponding symptoms occur.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adrenal Cortex Hormones; Ceftriaxone; Female; Humans; Infusions, Intravenous; Macula Lutea; Meningitis, Meningococcal; Mydriatics; Neisseria meningitidis, Serogroup B; Ophthalmic Solutions; Ophthalmoscopy; Optic Neuritis; Papilledema; Retinal Diseases; Uveitis, Anterior; Young Adult

Central retinal vein occlusion (CRVO) due to herpes zoster has rarely been reported. Varicella zoster virus is a common opportunistic infection in patients with AIDS. This case report is about a 40-year-old man with herpes zoster ophthalmicus and central retinal vein occlusion of the right eye who is HIV-positive. Although the lesion resolved following treatment with intravenous acyclovir and oral steroid, the patient subsequently developed florid disc neovascularization and vitreous hemorrhage. The paper highlights CRVO as the initial presentation in an AIDS patient with herpes zoster ophthalmicus.

Topics: Acyclovir; Adult; AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections; Antiviral Agents; Drug Therapy, Combination; Glucocorticoids; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; HIV Seropositivity; Humans; Male; Papilledema; Prednisolone; Retinal Neovascularization; Retinal Vein Occlusion; Vitreous Hemorrhage

Infections with varicella zoster virus may involve the optic nerve and the retina. Different pathomechanisms have been discussed. We present a case with an autoimmune inflammatory reaction according to the clinical course.. A 69-year-old female was referred to our clinic because of suspected bilateral anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. She complained of severe visual loss the day before admission. Her ophthalmological and general history was unremarkable apart from treatment with 5 to 7.5 mg prednisolone alternately because of rheumatoid arthritis. Best corrected visual acuity was 1/15 OD and 0.1 OS. A relative afferent pupillary defect on the right eye was present. Optic disc oedema with multiple hemorrhages of the retina extending into the peripheral funds, slightly attenuated retinal arteries and macular oedema were seen fundoscopically in both eyes. THERAPY AND CLINICAL OUTCOME: After immediate treatment with steroids (initial dose 250 mg prednisolone per day) visual acuity improved. Because of a clinically suspected and serologically proven active varicella-zoster infection an additional virostatic therapy with valaciclovir was started and steroids were lowered gradually. Within 2 months, visual acuity increased to 0.8 OD and 1.0 OS. Oedema of optic discs and macula resolved and retinal hemorrhages disappeared.. A severe hemorrhagic neuro-retinitis involving the optic discs was seen in the course of a varicella-zoster infection, possibly reactivated by chronic steroid therapy of a rheumatoid arthritis. Because of the normalization of visual function an ischemic pathogenesis is unlikely. An autoimmune inflammatory reaction seems to be the predominant mechanism, supported by the good effect of steroid and valaciclovir therapy.

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Antiviral Agents; Diagnosis, Differential; Female; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Herpesvirus 3, Human; Humans; Optic Nerve; Papilledema; Prednisolone; Retinitis; Valacyclovir; Valine

Topics: Acyclovir; Aged; Dexamethasone; Drug Therapy, Combination; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Humans; Male; Optic Neuritis; Papilledema; Visual Acuity

A healthy 56-year-old man developed left-sided herpes zoster ophthalmicus, accompanied initially by ipsilateral anterior uveitis and increased intraocular pressure. Although he was treated in the subacute phase (5 days after skin eruption) with adequate oral doses of acyclovir for 10 days, the condition was later complicated by a left sectorial anterior ischemic optic neuropathy. The pathogenesis of this rare complication is discussed in this article.

Topics: Acyclovir; Fluorescein Angiography; Fundus Oculi; Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus; Humans; Ischemia; Male; Middle Aged; Optic Nerve; Papilledema; Prednisone; Visual Fields