INTERMEDIATE UVEITIS AND RETINAL VASCULITIS AS MANIFESTATIONS OF CAT-SCRATCH DISEASE

PURPOSE: To study the ocular manifestations of systemic Rochalimaea in fection.METHODS: We examined a healthy 21-year old woman who had float ers in both eyes, A bilateral mild vitreitis and multiple foci of reti nal vasculitis were found; during the ensuing two weeks, exudates appe ared over the inferior pars plana. The patient owned five kittens but had no history of cat bites or scratches. Serum levels of antibodies t o Rochalimaea were elevated. RESULT: The retinal vasculitis and vitrei tis resolved after three weeks of therapy with ciprofloxacin hydrochlo ride without concomitant antiinflammatory therapy. CONCLUSION: Rochali maea infection should be considered in the differential diagnosis of i ntermediate uveitis and retinal vasculitis.