Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome presenting with encephalopathy

Abstract

VogtKoyanagi-Harada (VKH) is a rare syndrome affecting tissues with melanocytes. The possibility that VKH syndrome has an autoimmune pathogenesis is supported by the high frequency of human leukocyte antigen-DR4 commonly associated with other autoimmune diseases. Eyes are the main affected organ, resulting in blindness. Brain disease as a late onset event is extremely rare. Here, we are reporting a 57-year-old woman with previously diagnosed VKH syndrome, presenting with a late-onset brain encephalopathy. She was treated with corticosteroids and discharged from hospital with good general condition.

Keywords

• Autoimmunity
• encephalopathy
• human leukocyte antigen (HLA)
• Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome