Ocular Manifestations of Emerging Infectious Diseases
Ocular Manifestations of Emerging Infectious Diseases
RVF is an arthropod-borne viral disease caused by Bunyaviridae and transmitted to humans through a bite by infected mosquitoes or through direct contact with infected animals. Several outbreaks have been reported in the sub-Saharan, and North Africa, and in the Arabian Peninsula. Systemic involvement includes fever with biphasic temperature curve, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, and gastrointestinal disturbances. More severe clinical presentations include a hemorrhagic fever with liver involvement, thrombocytopenia, icterus and bleeding tendencies, and encephalitis with confusion and coma. Ocular involvement has been reported to occur in 1–20% of RVF infections, after a mean interval ranging from 4 to 15 days after the onset of RVF. Macular or paramacular necrotizing retinitis is the most common finding with early hypofluorescence and late staining and retinal vascular leakage on fluorescein angiography. Other posterior segment lesions include retinal hemorrhages, vitritis, optic disc edema, and retinal vasculitis. Treatment is entirely supportive. Symptoms resolve spontaneously within 2–3 weeks, but permanent visual loss is common, resulting from macular and paramacular scarring, vascular occlusion, or optic atrophy.
Rift Valley Fever
RVF is an arthropod-borne viral disease caused by Bunyaviridae and transmitted to humans through a bite by infected mosquitoes or through direct contact with infected animals. Several outbreaks have been reported in the sub-Saharan, and North Africa, and in the Arabian Peninsula. Systemic involvement includes fever with biphasic temperature curve, headache, arthralgia, myalgia, and gastrointestinal disturbances. More severe clinical presentations include a hemorrhagic fever with liver involvement, thrombocytopenia, icterus and bleeding tendencies, and encephalitis with confusion and coma. Ocular involvement has been reported to occur in 1–20% of RVF infections, after a mean interval ranging from 4 to 15 days after the onset of RVF. Macular or paramacular necrotizing retinitis is the most common finding with early hypofluorescence and late staining and retinal vascular leakage on fluorescein angiography. Other posterior segment lesions include retinal hemorrhages, vitritis, optic disc edema, and retinal vasculitis. Treatment is entirely supportive. Symptoms resolve spontaneously within 2–3 weeks, but permanent visual loss is common, resulting from macular and paramacular scarring, vascular occlusion, or optic atrophy.
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