A Case of Tsutsugamushi Disease Associated With Intermediate Uveitis and Retinal Detachment

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: The authors report a Tsutsugamushi patient who has intermediate uveitis and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment without a typical skin eschar, which may be rare. CASE SUMMARY: The authors present a case of a 63-year-old man who complained of fever, chills, and headache, with lymphadenopathy, hepatomegaly, reticulonodular pneumonia, and blurred vision in the right eye after descending a mountain in autumn. Serological findings showed elevated titers for strains of Rickettsia tsutsugamushi, even though no eschar could be found on his body. In addition, the ophthalmologic examination disclosed vitreous opacity as uveitis in his right eye; thus, the patient was treated for Tsutsugamushi disease. However, retinal detachment was found in his right eye even after treatment. Thus, a vitrectomy and intravitreal silicone oil injection was performed, and the patient's best corrected visual acuity improved from hand motion to 0.04 on the 7th day after the operation.