Bilateral Necrotizing Retinitis following Encephalitis Caused by the Pseudorabies Virus Confirmed by Next-Generation Sequencing

ABSTRACT

Purpose: The objective of this study was to report a case of bilateral necrotizing retinitis following viral encephalitis caused by the pseudorabies virus.

Case report: A 49-year-old male had decreased bilateral visual acuity after the recovery of consciousness for one month. He had been in an unconsciousness status due to encephalitis for two months before the ocular symptoms developed. He was a pig slaughterer. Ocular ultrasound showed bilateral vitreous haze and retinal detachment. A vitrectomy and silicone oil tamponade were performed on the left eye. During surgery, massive periphery retinal necrosis appearing as a tattered fish net, and multiple retinal holes were observed. The pseudorabies virus was detected by next-generation sequencing in the vitreous specimen.

Conclusion: The pseudorabies virus may cause bilateral necrotizing retinitis following viral encephalitis among those with close contact to pigs. Intraocular fluid provides a greater selection of samples and a longer time window for pathogenic detection.

KEYWORDS:

• Retinitis
• infectious uveitis
• encephalitis
• pseudorabies virus
• swine
• next-generation sequencing

Declaration of interest statement

The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any drugs and equipment used in this article.

Additional information

Funding

Thanks to support by The Capital Health Research and Development of Special [No.SF-2018-2-1081], Capital Medical University Affiliated Beijing Tongren Hospital Key Medical Development Plan [trzdyxzy201801]. The funding organization had no role in the design or conduct of this research.