Positive polymerase chain reaction and histology with borderline serology in Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To report a case of Parinaud's oculoglandular syndrome (POS) in which, despite a borderline serology, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing for a conjunctival biopsy was positive for Bartonella henselae, a source of cat-scratch disease. A Steiner silver stain demonstrated the organism.


METHODS
Case Report.


RESULTS
A 65-year-old man was seen for a foreign body in his left eye (OS) associated with chemosis and a preauricular node.


CONCLUSIONS
B. henselae is a known cause of POS. This gram-negative pleomorphic rod has been more frequently discovered in connection with this syndrome due to improved diagnostic testing such as indirect immunofluorescence antibody and PCR testing. Frequently, serology is positive if the organism is present. This report describes a patient with clinical findings of POS who, despite borderline serology, had pleomorphic rods on Steiner silver stain and positive PCR testing compatible with Bartonella henselae.
Cornea and Refractive Surgery Services, Department of Ophthalmology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, U.S.A. Starck@uthscsa.edu
Tomy
T
Starck
Bruce W
BW
Madsen
D000368:Aged; D018416:Bartonella henselae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D002372:Cat-Scratch Disease / Q000150:complications*; D003229:Conjunctival Diseases / Q000382:microbiology*; D004269:DNA, Bacterial / Q000032:analysis; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015835:Ocular Motility Disorders / Q000382:microbiology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D016622:Silver Staining
D004269:DNA, Bacterial