Cute Cats, Disastrous Nightmare

Abstract

We reported a rare case of neuroretinitis secondary to cat scratch disease, which was successfully treated with steroids and antibiotic. A healthy young lady presented with a 6-day history of central blurring of vision over her right eye (OD) after an episode of flu. Visual acuity over the OD was 6/60 with positive relative afferent pupillary defect. There were no features of anterior uveitis. Fundus of the OD showed swollen, hyperemic optic disc with disc hemorrhages and early macular star but clear vitreous, with the absence of retinochoroiditis or vasculitic changes. The serum Bartonella henselae immunoglobulins M and G were raised. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and orbit showed a normal result. Our impression was neuroretinitis secondary to cat scratch disease. Her OD’s vision improved to 6/9 after completing a course of doxycycline and systemic corticosteroids. Early commencement of antibiotic and corticosteroids is essential to impede potentially blinding ocular complications despite its rarity.