Case 14-2018: A 68-Year-Old Woman with a Rash, Hyponatremia, and Uveitis

Two cases of uveitis associated with severe transaminitis during a Rickettsia typhi outbreak in Los Angeles County

Purpose

To report the clinical presentation, multimodal imaging, and management of two patients with Rickettsia typhi infection who presented with transaminitis and bilateral uveitis.

Observations

We report two cases of murine typhus-associated uveitis in the setting of a Rickettsia typhi outbreak in Los Angeles County. In case 1, a 29-year-old Hispanic female presented with scotoma of the right eye and bilateral floaters after 2 weeks of persistent fevers, maculopapular rash, and arthralgia. Clinical examination and optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed vitreous cell and scattered white spots in both eyes at the level of the inner retina, and a cotton wool spot inferiorly in the left eye. Multiple hyperautofluorescent spots were seen on widefield fundus autofluorescence (FAF). Retinal vascular leakage and optic disc hyperfluorescence were visualized on widefield fluorescein angiography (FA). These findings were concerning for a white dot syndrome (WDS). The patient was started on oral prednisone 30 mg daily. Serologic testing during the convalescent phase returned positive for R. typhi infection and she was started on doxycycline. 3 weeks later, she reported complete resolution of scotoma and significant improvement of bilateral floaters.

In the second case, a 42-year-old Hispanic male presented with sudden bilateral increased floaters and blurry vision after 12 days of persistent fever and headache. Clinical examination revealed trace flare with 1+ cell in the anterior chamber, 1+ vitreous cell, and multiple white dots in both eyes at the level of the inner retina. FAF showed scattered hyperautofluorescent spots in both eyes. FA demonstrated late retinal vascular leakage with bilateral hyperfluorescent optic discs. He was started on oral prednisone 40mg, prednisolone acetate 1% drops, and cyclopentolate 1% drops daily. 2 weeks later, serologic titers returned positive for murine typhus and he was started on doxycycline with gradual taper off of steroids. He subsequently had complete resolution of floaters, blurry vision, and the inner retinal white spots.

Conclusions and Importance

Murine typhus-associated uveitis may present with scotoma and increased floaters in the setting of persistent fevers and transaminitis, with pre- or inner retinal white spots seen on fundus examination. Ophthalmologists may aid in prompt diagnosis and initiation of antibiotic therapy, which can shorten the course of the disease and in turn, reduce the risk of severe complications.