IMMUNE RECONSTITUTION INFLAMMATORY SYNDROME CAUSING PROGRESSIVE OPTIC NERVE EDEMA IN CRYPTOCOCCAL MENINGITIS.
OBJECTIVE
To report an human immunodeficiency virus-positive patient undergoing therapy for cryptococcal meningitis who developed progressive optic disk edema that was steroid responsive.


METHODS
Observational case report.


RESULTS
One month after commencing antifungal treatment for cryptococcal meningitis, the patient developed bilateral, progressive, recurrent optic disk edema with subretinal fluid that coincided with initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy and recovery of CD4 cell counts. Lumbar puncture revealed normal opening pressure, and cerebrospinal fluid showed no recurrence of cryptococcal infection. There was no evidence of uveitis. The patient rapidly improved with a 5-day course of high-dose intravenous methylprednisolone.


CONCLUSIONS
Recurrent optic disk edema with loss of vision after treatment of cryptococcal meningitis in the setting of normal intracranial pressure may represent a unique manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome localized to the optic nerve without uveitis. This is consistent with the temporal relationship between starting highly active antiretroviral therapy, CD4 count recovery, and the development of progressive disk edema in the study patient. Isolated optic nerve inflammation as a manifestation of immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome has not been widely reported.
Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts New England Eye Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Astrid C
AC
Werner
Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts New England Eye Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Laurel N
LN
Vuong
Neuro-Ophthalmology Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts New England Eye Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Thomas R
TR
Hedges
Retina Service, Department of Ophthalmology, Tufts New England Eye Center, Boston, Massachusetts.
Caroline R
CR
Baumal
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054019:Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome / Q000150:complications*; D016919:Meningitis, Cryptococcal / Q000150:complications*; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D009902:Optic Neuritis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult
D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D008775:Methylprednisolone