Ocular manifestations of Rickettsia conorii in South India.

PURPOSE: Among the major groups of rickettsiosis, the commonly reported diseases in India are: (a) Typhus group induced-scrub typhus, murine flea-borne typhus; (b) Spotted fever group induced-Indian tick typhus; and (c) Q fever. Though many scrub typhus outbreaks have been reported from India, only one outbreak of spotted fever-serologically proven Indian tick typhus (Rickettsia conorii)-has been reported. We report for the first time ocular manifestations of serologically proven R. conorii infection in a cluster of patients. METHODS: In this retrospective study, case records patients with serologically proven Indian tick typhus (Rickettsia conorii) were reviewed for clinical manifestations and treatment outcomes. RESULTS:: In the months of February to April 2016, a cluster of 12 patients (23 eyes) visited us with defective vision. Examination showed multifocal retinitis; mostly bilateral; patients had a history of fever approximately 4 weeks prior to onset of symptoms. After excluding other causes of multifocal retinitis, a diagnosis of rickettsial retinitis was made after Weil-Felix test (WFT) was significantly positive, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was positive for R. conorii. Course of the disease, visual outcome, and investigations are discussed. Doxycycline along with oral corticosteroids was effective in treating the condition. CONCLUSION:: Systematic fundus examination should be part of the routine evaluation of any patient who presents with fever and/or skin rash living in or returning from a specific endemic area. Clinical clues to diagnosing ocular rickettsiosis could be multifocal retinitis predominantly involving the posterior pole and macular involvement in the form of serous macular detachment or macular hard exudates. A positive WFT still serves as a useful and cheap diagnostic tool for laboratory diagnosis of rickettsial disease. Doxycycline along with oral corticosteroids was effective in treating the condition.

Outbreak of acquired ocular toxoplasmosis involving 248 patients.

OBJECTIVE: To describe the demographic profile and clinical and laboratory findings of 248 patients with acquired retinitis caused by systemic infection with toxoplasmosis in a presumed outbreak of the disease. DESIGN: Retrospective observational case series. RESULTS: Most patients (209) were residents of one city in Southern India. A total of 35 patients had a prodrome of fever, and 242 patients had unilateral retinitis without associated old retinochoroidal scars. All had laboratory evidence of acquired systemic infection with Toxoplasma gondii, and all favorably responded to antitoxoplasma therapy. Toxoplasma IgM and IgG antibodies were detected, suggesting recently acquired systemic disease. Complications seen were macular scars in 50 eyes (25.1%); epiretinal membranes, 23 eyes (11.5%); cataract, 5 eyes (2.5%); posterior vitreous detachment, 12 eyes (6%); and retinal detachment, 12 eyes (6%). One recurrence has been seen. The suspected source of infection is municipal drinking water. CONCLUSION: Large numbers of residents of any age in a population are at risk of acquiring ocular disease during an outbreak of toxoplasmosis, which can go unnoticed, and can cause significant ocular morbidity.