Uveitis by Mycoplasma pneumoniae in Tenerife, Canary Islands: Report of Two Cases

Abstract

Purpose: In this study, two cases of uveitis due to Mycoplasma pneumoniae (MP) are described including the clinical and therapeutic management of both affected patients. Methods: Retrospective study of two cases of uveitis by MP from a uveitis unit in a University Hospital in Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain. Two female patients of 46 and 49 years old respectively were admitted to the Canary Islands University Hospital Ophthalmology unit due to the manifestation of acute anterior uveitis, intermediate uveitis and papillitis in their left eyes showing resistance to topical treatment with steroids. Both patients reported to suffer acute pharyngitis that healed without any prescribed treatment a week before admission. Results: A systemic study was carried out showing IgG and IgM levels against Mycoplasma pneumoniae and thus therapy was started. Both patients recovered after treatment with doxycycline and prednisone, without recurrence after a year follow-up. Conclusions: Mycoplasma pneumoniae is a pathogen capable of producing atypical pneumonia that occasionally manifests by ocular involvement such as uveitis, optic neuritis or papillitis. In the reported cases in this study, positive levels of antibodies levels and previous history of prior infection was able to lead us to a diagnosis and recovering of both patients after treatment.