Case of Tsutsugamushi Disease With Anterior Uveitis

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To report a single case of tsutsugamushi disease with anterior uveitis and eschars on the upper eyelid. CASE SUMMARY: A 56-year-old female patient complained of ocular pain and gradually decreasing visual acuity in her right eye. On physical examination, lymphadenopathy was palpable on the right side of the neck, and eschars were observed on the forehead and upper eyelid. On slit lamp examination, conjunctival injection, episcleral vessel dilations and severe intraocular inflammatory reaction were observed. Fundus examination showed no abnormal findings. A blood test was submitted for analysis, and tsutsugamushi disease was diagnosed. The patient's ocular manifestations responded well to treatment with steroids. After three weeks, the patient showed improvement on ocular examination, and no problems were observed at the six-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Although ocular manifestation of tsutusgamushi disease with conjunctivitis and limbitis has previously been reported, ocular manifestation of tsutusgamushi disease with anterior uveitis has not been reported. Anterior uveitis may respond satisfactorily to steroid treatment, along with improvement in systemic conditions.