Bilateral arterial occlusions masking retinitis in a HIV-positive male

Abstract

We report an interesting case of 36-year-old HIV-positive male with uveitis, cilioretinal artery occlusion in OD, and superotemporal branch retinal artery occlusion in OS. Hypercoagulability, cardiovascular, and rheumatologic workups were unremarkable. Aqueous taps were negative for toxoplasma, viruses, and MTb by multiplex polymerase chain reaction. Patches of retinitis were seen on clearing of retinal edema. Serology was positive for toxoplasma and rickettsia. Management included doxycycline, azithromycin, bactrim DS, and oral steroids. Vision improvement to 6/60 and 6/24 in OD and OS refer to the right eye and left eye, respectively, were noted at 4-month follow-up. Infections should be considered in arterial occlusions associated with inflammation in HIV-positive individuals.

Keywords

• Arterial occlusions
• bilateral
• HIV
• retinitis
• rickettsia
• toxoplasma