Beaded Pearls Appearance in Syphilitic Chorioretinitis

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report an atypical case of bilateral syphilitic chorioretinitis.

Methods

A case report.

Results

A young male presented with bilateral pigmentary retinal changes along with multifocal chorioretinal lesions along the blood vessels giving a “beaded pearl” appearance. He was a hitherto undiagnosed case of human immunodeficiency virus infection and was diagnosed to have syphilis. He had a favourable visual and anatomical outcome following treatment.

Conclusion

Multifocal chorioretinal lesions along blood vessels forming a “beaded pearls” appearance can be a rare and unique presentation of syphilis.

KEYWORDS:

• Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• chorioretinitis
• HIV
• human immunodeficiency virus
• nyctalopia
• pigmentary retinopathy
• posterior uveitis
• syphilis
• syphilitic chorioretinitis

Declaration of interest

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

Additional information

Funding

Hyderabad Eye Research Foundation.