Choroiditis, pigment epithelial detachment, and cystoid macular edema as complications of poststreptococcal syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
Two cases of poststreptococcal uveitis are presented. One patient developed nongranulomatous anterior uveitis (case 1). A second patient developed nongranulomatous anterior uveitis followed by granulomatous uveitis with concurrent choroiditis, retinal pigment epithelial detachment, and cystoid macular edema (case 2). Current concepts regarding the pathogenesis of poststreptococcal syndrome and its ocular sequelae are also discussed.


METHODS
Case 1: A 31-year-old female patient presented with bilateral nongranulomatous uveitis after a recent onset of sore throat. A past diagnosis of rheumatic fever was revealed during acquisition of the patient's history. Blood chemistry analysis indicated elevated anti-streptolysin O antibody titers as the only significant elevated result. Case 2: A 33-year-old female presented initially with bilateral nongranulomatous uveitis. A history of recurrent sore throat was reported. Blood chemistry analysis revealed elevated anti-streptolysin O antibody titers only. "Mutton fat" keratic precipitates eventually developed; however, the bilateral uveitis resolved after topical cycloplegic and corticosteroid treatment. An anterior granulomatous uveitis with concurrent choroiditis, retinal pigment epithelial detachment, and cystoid macular edema ensued during a recurrent episode. Blood chemistry analysis was unremarkable at that time.


CONCLUSIONS
: Anterior nongranulomatous/granulomatous and posterior uveitis should be considered clinical manifestations of poststreptococcal syndrome in patients with a clinical history and/or serological evidence indicating possible past streptococcal infection. A variation of host-genetic-predisposed immune response, the patient's human leukocyte antigen haplotype, pathogen virulence, and/or deposition location of immune circulating complexes may give rise to the diverse spectrum of clinical ocular sequelae in poststreptococcal syndrome. Poststreptococcal uveitis may comprise a similar immunologic pathogenesis to that of acute rheumatic fever, acute glomerulonephritis, and other autoimmune diseases.
NOVA Southeastern University, College of Optometry, 1750 NE 167th Street, North Miami Beach, FL 33162, USA. ebesada@hpd.nova.edu
Eulogio
E
Besada
Barry J
BJ
Frauens
Scott
S
Schatz
D000328:Adult; D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial / Q000097:blood; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D010857:Pigment Epithelium of Eye / Q000473:pathology*; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D013290:Streptococcal Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D013291:Streptococcus / Q000276:immunology; D013301:Streptolysins / Q000276:immunology; D013577:Syndrome; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D000907:Antibodies, Bacterial; D001426:Bacterial Proteins; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D013301:Streptolysins; C025964:streptolysin O