PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a presumed case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of the retina in a 65-year-old female with sudden bilateral vision loss. METHODS: Diagnostic vitreous biopsy of the left eye was performed to test for EBV and other known infectious causes of retinitis and evaluate vitreous cells. RESULTS: Serologic EBV testing was positive. Vitreous polymerase chain reaction viral DNA testing was positive for EBV, but negative for herpes-simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasma gondii. Histopathologic analysis of vitreous cells revealed atypical lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Epstein-Barr virus may be a cause of retinal disease. Awareness of this severe ocular complication may enable prompt diagnosis and treatment of future cases, and promote greater investigation into its disease prevalence.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to describe a presumed case of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection of the retina in a 65-year-old female with sudden bilateral vision loss. METHODS: Diagnostic vitreous biopsy of the left eye was performed to test for EBV and other known infectious causes of retinitis and evaluate vitreous cells. RESULTS: Serologic EBV testing was positive. Vitreous polymerase chain reaction viral DNA testing was positive for EBV, but negative for herpes-simplex virus, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and toxoplasma gondii. Histopathologic analysis of vitreous cells revealed atypical lymphocytes. CONCLUSIONS: Epstein-Barr virus may be a cause of retinal disease. Awareness of this severe ocular complication may enable prompt diagnosis and treatment of future cases, and promote greater investigation into its disease prevalence.
Authors: Vasileios G Peponis; Irini P Chatziralli; Efstratios A Parikakis; Niki Chaira; Michail C Katzakis; Panagiotis G Mitropoulos Journal: Case Rep Ophthalmol Date: 2012-10-06