Infectious posterior uveitis

Abstract

SummarySeveral infectious agents (parasites, bacteria, fungi, and viruses) can invade the eye and lead to ocular inflammation. Infectious causes should always be considered and ruled out in all patients with posterior uveitis. Toxoplasma gondii is by far the most common cause of infectious posterior uveitis in all ages, while Toxocara canis infects typically children. Onchocerciasis and other parasitic diseases may also cause posterior uveitis, more commonly in developing countries. Nowadays, old bacterial diseases, tuberculosis and syphilis, emerged as common causes of posterior uveitis. Bartonella henselae and Borrelia burgdorferi are other bacteria that can also cause posterior uveitis.Fungal posterior uveitis usually occurs in immunosuppressed patients or in intravenous drug users. Herpes viruses (HSV, VZV, CMV) are also associated with infectious retinitis, in immunocompromised as well as immunocompetent patients, with quite destructive clinical course. Recently, more viruses (such as West Nile virus, Rift valley fever, dengue fever, and chikungunya) have been recognized as etiologic factors of posterior infectious uveitis. A rapid and accurate diagnosis is of high importance for the successful treatment and visual outcome of infectious uveitis. Techniques and methods, such PCR and detection of specific antibodies in the intraocular fluids (Goldmann‐Witmer coefficient), play a key role towards the detection of the pathogen of posterior infectious uveitis.