SARS-CoV-2 among the Potential Viral Triggers for Vogt-Konayagi-Harada Disease: First Case Report and Literature Review

ABSTRACT

Objective

To describe a case of Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada (VKH) disease associated with the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Materials and methods

A retrospective review of patient records was carried out to obtain data for a case report. A literature review was conducted of cases of uveitis associated with COVID-19 reported to date.

Case description

A 32-year-old Hispanic female presented with bilateral granulomatous panuveitis consisting of VKH disease 2 weeks after a clinical course of COVID-19. Both eyes presented with anterior uveitis and edematous hyperemic papilla with flame-shaped peripapillary hemorrhages, macula-off serous retinal detachments with subretinal fluid, and vitritis. A complete systemic work-up was performed to exclude infectious or inflammatory etiologies. Ocular inflammatory signs and systemic symptoms improved with corticosteroid and immunomodulatory therapy.

Conclusion

SARS-CoV-2 can be a potential immunological trigger for VKH disease. Patients presenting with panuveitis and a history of a previous flu-like illness should raise clinical suspicion of the presence of SARS-CoV-2 in the context of the ongoing global pandemic.

KEYWORDS:

• SARS-CoV-2
• Vogt–Koyanagi–Harada
• uveitis
• optic neuritis

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.