Ocular Spiroplasma ixodetis in Newborns, France

Abstract

Cataract and uveitis are rare in newborns but potentially blinding. Three newborns with cataract and severe anterior uveitis underwent cataract surgery. Spiroplasma ixodetis was detected in lens aspirates using bacterial 16S-rRNA PCR and transmission electron microscopy. These findings, which suggest maternal–fetal infection, are consistent with previous experimental Spiroplasma-induced cataract and uveitis.

Keywords

• Spiroplasma
• uveitis
• cataract
• eye
• infection
• microphthalmos