Sporadic summer outbreak of SHAPU in even years: Does the pattern match with the usual autumn outbreak?

Abstract

Purpose: Seasonal Hyperacute Panuveitis (SHAPU), is a mysterious blinding disease seen only in Nepal with a higher prevalence among children usually seen in autumn every alternate odd year since 1975. This report highlights the sporadic summer outbreak in the even years with atypical presentation. Observations: Three patients were diagnosed as SHAPU in the summer (May) of 2020. All of them noted the presence of white moths (Gazalina species) in their environment with or without direct physical contact. The clinical patterns were severe in nature including corneal melting. Two out of three patients (66.6%) developed phthisis bulbi and lost their vision. Conclusions and importance: White moth has been associated as a risk factor for SHAPU. Despite the known natural history of appearance after monsoon of every odd year, the few unhatched eggs of the moths may hatch under the favorable circumstances in the summer of the even years and may lead to the sporadic outbreak of SHAPU. Though less in numbers, the clinical presentation of such sporadic SHAPU cases may be atypical with less favorable outcome.

Keywords

• SHAPU
• White moth
• Children
• Odd year
• Nepal