Immunosuppressive therapy in serpiginous choroiditis--case report and brief review of the literature.
BACKGROUND
At present there is no consensus regarding the efficacy of the immunosuppressive therapy in serpiginous choroiditis.


METHODS
We describe the case of a patient with a macular serpiginous choroiditis. Despite corticosteroid therapy the choroiditis was progressive and threatened the central vision. Therefore a triple immunosuppressive therapy with prednisone 1 mg/kg body weight/day (mg/kg/d), azathioprine 1.5 mg/kg/d, and low-dose cyclosporine A 4.5 mg/kg/d was introduced.


RESULTS
Under this triple immunosuppressive therapy a prompt stabilisation of the chorioretinal process could be observed in fluorescein angiography. After five months of therapy the examination of the visual field shows an impressive recovery. No significant side effects have been noted.


CONCLUSIONS
In the literature, until now only six patients with serpiginous choroiditis treated with a triple agent immunosuppressive therapy have been reported. In all cases this regimen seemed to have a positive influence on the disease. Our present observation corroborates the beneficial effect of a triple agent immunosuppressive therapy on the course of serpiginous choroiditis. However, the beneficial effect of such a therapeutic approach needs to be confirmed by further observations.
Vonmoos
F
F
University Eye Clinic, Mittlere Strasse 91, CH-4012 Basel.
Messerli
J
J
Moser
H R
HR
Prünte
C
C
Flammer
J
J
Haefliger
I O
IO
D000328:Adult; D001379:Azathioprine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016572:Cyclosporine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D018450:Disease Progression; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008297:Male; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014794:Visual Fields / Q000187:drug effects
D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D016572:Cyclosporine; D001379:Azathioprine; D011241:Prednisone