A Case of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome in Which <i>Bartonella</i> DNA Was Detected in the Cornea and Conjunctiva by Polymerase Chain Reaction

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome (POS) is unilateral granulomatous follicular conjunctivitis with ipsilateral afferent lymphadenopathy, primarily caused by cat-scratch disease, tularemia, and sporotrichosis. We report a case of POS in which Bartonella DNA was detected using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in corneal and conjunctival specimens. Methods: A 29-year-old man, who started keeping a stray cat two months prior, became aware of right preauricular lymphadenopathy and right ocular conjunctival hyperemia one month prior. Subsequently, he developed a fever of approximately 37.9 °C, with a purulent ocular discharge appearing 1 week before being referred to our department for a detailed ophthalmological examination. The patient’s right eye showed hyperemia and edema in the bulbar conjunctiva, along with palpebral conjunctival hyperemia, follicles, and white ulcers. Two weeks later, his serum IgM titer for Bartonella henselae was 1:20, and Bartonella DNA was detected by PCR in the corneal and conjunctival specimens. Based on these findings, the patient was diagnosed with POS caused by cat-scratch disease (CSD). Oral doxycycline, rifampicin, topical gatifloxacin, betamethasone phosphate, and erythromycin eye ointments were prescribed. Results: After 2 weeks of oral treatment and 2 months of eye drop treatment, the deterioration of the cornea and conjunctiva improved when the patient recovered good visual acuity. Conclusions: PCR assays of corneal and conjunctival specimens are useful for the diagnosis of CSD presenting with POS. These results suggested that Bartonella may be directly involved in the ocular surface pathogenesis of POS.

Keywords

• cat-scratch disease
• Parinaud oculoglandular syndrome
• <i>Bartonella henselae</i>