Multimodal imaging for the management of Lyme-associated uveitis: A case report from an Italian tertiary center

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2023 Nov;33(6):NP58-NP64. doi: 10.1177/11206721231154172. Epub 2023 Jan 29.

Abstract

Introduction: Lyme borreliosis may present with different systemic manifestations and also the ocular involvement may be difficult to diagnose because of its multifaceted presentation. Considering the growing incidence of Lyme disease in European countries, ophthalmologist should be trained to distinguish ocular borreliosis.

Case report: Several clinical presentations have been previously described, including uveitis, unilateral or bilateral chorioretinitis, keratitis, episcleritis, papillitis and ischemic optic neuropathy, retinal vasculitis and acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy (APMPPE); however our case report showed a rare presentation with the presence of unilateral uveitis with vitreitis and multiple, patchy, yellowish lesions, in association with retinal vasculitis. This clinical picture was to be considered in differential diagnosis with ocular Toxoplasmosis.

Conclusions: The appropriate management of this patient was made possible by the combination of multimodal imaging and appropriate laboratory tests, representing the optimal process in the diagnostic and therapeutic pathway in high-risk patients for ocular Lyme disease.

Keywords: Infectious Endophthalmitis < VITREOUS / ENDOPHTHALMITIS; Posterior Uveitis < UVEITIS; Retinal Pathology / Research < RETINA; Techniques of Retinal Examination < RETINA; UVEITIS.