title: Intraocular nematode with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis: case report.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Live intraocular nematode is a rare occurrence. Nematode can migrate actively within the eye, creating visual symptoms and damaging ocular tissue.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 26-year old man presented with painless reduced vision of the left eye for one week duration. It was associated with floaters. Visual acuity on the left eye was hand movement. Anterior segment examination was normal with normal intra-ocular pressure. Fundus examination showed a live nematode lying subretinally at the macular area with macular oedema and multifocal chorioretinal lesions at peripheral retina. There was no vitritis, vasculitis or any retinal hemorrhage. Systemic examination revealed normal findings and laboratory studies only showed leucocytosis with normal eosinophil count and negative serum toxocara antibody. The diagnosis of introcular nematode with diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis was made. He was treated with oral anti-helminths and a course of oral steroid at a reducing dose. The nematode had died evidenced by its immobility during the treatment and finally disintegrated, leaving macular oedema with mottling appearance and mild hyperpigmentation. Multifocal chorioretinal lesions had also resolved. However despite treatment his visual acuity during follow-up had remained poor.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cases of intraocular nematode, though not commonly encountered, continue to present the ophthalmologist with the problem of diagnosis and management and hence poorer prognosis to the patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, Kelantan, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Munira
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Yusoff
authors.forename: Azma-Azalina Ahmad
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Alwi
authors.forename: Mariyani Mad
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Said
authors.forename: Sakinah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zakariah
authors.forename: Zulkifli Abdul
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Ghani
authors.forename: Embong
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Zunaina
mesh_terms: D000208:Acute Disease; D000328:Adult; D015766:Albendazole / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015822:Eye Infections, Parasitic / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006801:Humans; D008269:Macular Edema / Q000469:parasitology; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D009348:Nematoda / Q000502:physiology; D009349:Nematode Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D012173:Retinitis / Q000469:parasitology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity
chemical_list: D000871:Anthelmintics; D015766:Albendazole