Premacular hemorrhage as a sign of subacute bacterial endocarditis.
OBJECTIVE
We examined a patient with mitral valve insufficiency, a sudden decrease in vision in the right eye, and premacular hemorrhage, which was a sign of subacute bacterial endocarditis.


CONCLUSIONS
The patient was hospitalized and treated with intravenous antibiotics. Blood cultures grew Streptococcus viridans. Ocular symptoms and signs improved over two months. Premacular hemorrhage may be a sign of subacute bacterial endocarditis and may obscure other classic signs. Subacute bacterial endocarditis should be included in the differential diagnosis of premacular hemorrhage.
Kim
J E
JE
Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee 53226, USA.
Han
D P
DP
D000208:Acute Disease; D016470:Bacteremia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004697:Endocarditis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D005839:Gentamicins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007262:Infusions, Intravenous; D008266:Macula Lutea / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010406:Penicillins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012166:Retinal Hemorrhage / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy
D005839:Gentamicins; D010406:Penicillins