A Case of Uveitis Associated with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

Abstract

Ocular complications of chronic active Epstein-Barr virus infection (CAEBV) have rarely been reported. We describe a 7-year-old girl with CAEBV with associated uveitis. The patient was first observed to have recurrent fever and hepatos-plenomegaly in August 1991. She presented with left facial nerve palsy in June 1993. Ocular examination showed right iridocyclitis. Both optic disks were swollen, and the retinal vessels were dilated. Antibody titers to EBV were markedly elevated. Treatment with topical steroids, systemic interleukin-2 and splenectomy dramatically relieved all her symptoms, including the ocular ones.

Optic Disk Vasculitis Associated with Chronic Active Epstein-Barr Virus Infection

“…Our cases were different from those reported by Wong et al [2]and Morishima et al [3]. The unilateral optic disk was swollen and fluorescein angiography showed hyperfluorescence of the optic disk.…”

“…Bilateral uveitis was noted in all patients, ranging from an anterior uveitis to severe panuveitis. Morishima et al [3]also reported a case of uveitis with CAEBV. A 7-year-old girl showed right iridocyclitis, a swelling of both optic disks and dilatation of retinal vessels.…”

“…Effective treatment with acyclovir and/or corticosteroid against ocular manifestations of CAEBV has been previously reported [2, 3]. In patient 1, treatment with systemic administration of corticosteroid, globulin and acyclovir was started because his visual acuity decreased and exudates increased.…”

“…Wong et al [2]and Morishima et al [3]reported on uveitis associated with CAEBV. The present study describes two patients with CAEBV who exhibited peripapillary retinal vasculitis with swelling of the optic disk.…”

A case of unilateral optic disc swelling with chronic active Epstein–Barr virus infection

“…Although it has been reported in various ocular lesions,2,5 it is usually limited to a transient follicular conjunctivitis. Only two cases of unilateral optic swelling due to CAEBV have been reported, and in both cases, CAEBV with recurrent fever had been diagnosed before the onset of ocular symptoms 4.…”