| Presentation preference | Poster presentation |
| Title | Atypical retinal neovascularization complicating a rickettsial retinitis |
| Purpose | To describe an atypical case of rickettsial retinitis complicated by retinal neovascularization. |
| Methods | case report |
| Results | A 26-year-old female was referred to our department for a visual blurring of the left eye (LE) since three weeks, a week after an unexplained fever. Examination of the LE revealed that best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was limited to counting fingers. Slit-lamp examination of the anterior segment was unremarkable. Fundus examination demonstrated a white lesion adjacent to the superior temporal retinal vessels surrounded by retinal hemorrhages, fine neovascular loops, a half of macular star and macular serous retinal detachment. Acute rickettsial infection was confirmed by positive serology testing. The patient was treated with doxycycline and oral corticosteroids. Ophthalmic examination 45 days later revealed worsening of the hard exudates, regression of the SRD with appearance of a large neovascular network over the superior temporal retinal arcade with no peripheral non perfusion areas. The patient received intravitreal anti-VEGF injection. Follow-up was marked by the resolution of the retinal neovasculariztion and improvement of visual acuity. |
| Conclusion | Isolated inflammatory neovessels can occur in rickettsial retinitis even in the absence of areas of ischemia or evident vascular occlusion. |
| Conflict of interest | No |
Authors 1
| Last name | MAHJOUB |
| Initials of first name(s) | A |
| Department | Department of ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | MONASTIR |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 2
| Last name | ABROUG |
| Initials of first name(s) | N |
| Department | Department of ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | MONASTIR |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 3
| Last name | BEN SAIDI |
| Initials of first name(s) | O |
| Department | Department of ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | MONASTIR |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 4
| Last name | JOUINI |
| Initials of first name(s) | A |
| Department | Department of ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | MONASTIR |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 5
| Last name | JELLITI |
| Initials of first name(s) | B |
| Department | Department of ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | MONASTIR |
| Country | Tunisia |
Authors 6
| Last name | KHAIRALLAH |
| Initials of first name(s) | M |
| Department | Department of ophthalmology, Fattouma Bourguiba University Hospital, Monastir, Tunisia |
| City | MONASTIR |
| Country | Tunisia |
