Retinal vasculitis associated with asymptomatic Gardnerella vaginalis infection: a new clinical entity.
OBJECTIVE
To report on 3 cases of retinal vasculitis associated with asymptomatic Gardnerella vaginalis (GV) infection.


METHODS
Review of 3 consecutive patients who presented with central retinal vasculitis without signs or symptoms of systemic disease. The vasculitis involved the central branches of the retinal vessels bilaterally and was steroid-dependent.


RESULTS
During treatment, patients developed clinically significant vaginitis, which the gynecologist considered to be exacerbated by the steroid treatment, leading to its withdrawal. All 3 vaginal specimens were positive for GV. Antibiotic susceptibility testing led to administration of oral ampicillin (2 g/day for 10 days), which resolved both the vaginal infection and the retinal vasculitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Idiopathic retinal vasculitis can be triggered by several agents. In this case series, GV was associated with retinal vasculitis, which was resolved by oral ampicillin. GV infection may be one of a number of triggers of retinal vasculitis. Appropriate treatment and full resolution of ocular inflammation requires exclusion of possible underlying infections.
Neri
Piergiorgio
P
Eye Clinic, Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, Ospedali Riuniti di Ancona, Ancona, Italy. doctor blacks@hotmail.com
Salvolini
Simone
S
Giovannini
Alfonso
A
Mariotti
Cesare
C
D000328:Adult; D000667:Ampicillin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D015818:Eye Infections, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D005260:Female; D005451:Fluorescein Angiography; D006194:Gardnerella vaginalis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008826:Microbial Sensitivity Tests; D008875:Middle Aged; D031300:Retinal Vasculitis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology*; D016585:Vaginosis, Bacterial / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology
D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents; D000667:Ampicillin