Alteration of the blood-retina barriers in cases of viral retinitis

Abstract

This paper presents three cases of serologically documented viral retinitis, and the great value of fluorescein angiography in outlining the structural abnormalities and the site of the lesions. Of our series in the case of influenza retinitis, the fluoroangiographic findings showed dye leakage from retinal vessels in the posterior pole. The dye leakage did not appear completely in the sites of macular edema. This edema was similar to the clinical appearance of cotton-wool spots and was arranged in a star-like pattern. One of the cases of cytomegalovirus retinitis (Case 3), a previously healthy adult with dysfunction of the cellular immune system, seems to be a further example of an inflammation in the inner retina presenting cotton-wool spots at the early stage. Case 2, a previously healthy adult, fulfilled the criteria for Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome. The patient had serologically documented cytomegalovirus infection with dysfunction of the cellular immune system. The fluorescein angiographic examination showed alteration both in the inner and outer blood-retina barriers as it is characteristic in cases of Harada syndrome. The cytomegalovirus infection might be assumed to play a role in the clinical picture as well as in the etiology of this disease.

Influenza Retinitis: Association with Influenza Encephalitis

“…The patterns of retinitis that have been found are variable depending on the case. They include submacular hemorrhages without neovascularization [1], macular edema with multiple exudates [2], and perifoveal edema in a star-like pattern [3]. The retinitis in our case appears not to be similar to any of the previously published reports.…”

Ocular effects caused by viral infections and corresponding vaccines: An overview of varicella zoster virus, measles virus, influenza viruses, hepatitis B virus, and SARS-CoV-2

“…Eye complications mainly involve the posterior segment and the uvea. Different kinds of retinitis was correlated with IAVs infection, characterized by submacular hemorrhage without neovascularization ( 89 ), macular edema with exudates ( 90 ), perifoveal edema with star-like pattern ( 91 ) or by alterations visible by fluorangiography, as hyperfluorescent spots associated with multiple dark circular lesions at the posterior pole ( 92 ). In some cases ( 90 ) angiopathy was observed, sometimes associated with frosted branch angiitis-like fundus ( 93 ).…”