Ocular manifestations of rickettsia in children: common but frequently overlooked

Abstract

We review two cases of ocular manifestations of infection in children. A girl who presented unilateral visual loss with focal retinitis and macular oedema and a boy with unilateral central scotoma and bilateral anterior uveitis. Progressive functional and anatomic recovery was observed after oral antibiotics and steroids were initiated.

Rickettsia rickettsii infection as an unusual cause of pediatric retinitis: A case report

“…2 , 3 Symptomatic retinitis, often accompanied by vitritis, is occasionally reported in Mediterranean spotted fever (MSF) caused by Rickettsia coronii , and asymptomatic retinochoroidal involvement (80% of examined MSF patients) may be even more common. 4 Other retinal findings may include serous retinal detachment. 5 Retinal vascular lesions such as vascular occlusions, subretinal hemorrhage, and tortuous retinal veins have also been reported in rickettsial spotted fevers.…”