Acute systemic histoplasmosis associated with chorioretinitis in an immunocompetent adolescent

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Inferior midperiphery of the left eye at the time of presentation showing disseminated discrete and multifocal chorioretinal lesions. Resolution of the inflammation in the same field after treatment. A preexisting RPE scar is shown in the field (yellow circle). Only trace RPE changes (white square) and vascular sheathing are seen at the sites of dense lesions after resolution; most of the lesions resolved without evidence of pigmentary changes or scarring. Superior midperiphery of the left eye at the time of presentation. Left eye after resolution of chorioretinal lesions showing no late scarring changes.
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Published: Aug 15, 2011
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5693/djo.02.2011.07.002
Keywords:
Histoplasma capsulatum, histoplasmosis

Main Article Content

Brian Fowler, MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
Christopher Shen, MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis Medical Center, Memphis, Tennesse
Joseph Mastellone
Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee
Edward Chaum, MD
Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, Memphis Medical Center, Memphis, Tennessee; Department of Pediatrics, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, Tennessee

Abstract

Histoplasmosis is an endemic, systemic mycosis caused by the dimorphic fungus Histoplasma capsulatum. A minority of patients develop asymptomatic chorioretinitis known as presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS), which is typically associated with chorioretinal scarring and peripapillary atrophy and occasionally with choroidal neovascularization secondary to maculopathy. We report a case of acute severe bilateral chorioretinitis associated with disseminated H. capsulatum in an immunocompetent adolescent boy living in an endemic area. The chorioretinitis did not respond to systemic antifungal therapy, but both his systemic illness and ocular lesions resolved with the addition of systemic steroids.

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How to Cite
1.
Fowler B, Shen C, Mastellone J, Chaum E. Acute systemic histoplasmosis associated with chorioretinitis in an immunocompetent adolescent. Digit J Ophthalmol. 2011;17(3):31-35. doi:10.5693/djo.02.2011.07.002
Issue
Vol. 17 No. 3 (2011)
Section
Case Reports
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.

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