Epidemic Retinitis with Positive or Negative Weil Felix Test - a Comparative Study and Outcome with Doxycycline

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To compare clinical manifestations and disease outcomes in Epidemic Retinitis (ER) with positive or negative Weil Felix Test (WFT).

Methods

Retrospective, observational, comparative study. WFT positive or negative patients formed Group 1 and 2, respectively. Patients receiving oral doxycycline monotherapy formed subgroup A and B. Duration of resolution of macular edema and retinitis was compared.

Results

Novel finding of “ring retinitis” was observed equally in group 1 and 2. Complete resolution of macular edema took 41.3 days (range: 30–60 days) and 43.68 days (range: 20–105 days) (p = .668) and retinitis lesions resolved in 34.3 days (range: 14–65 days) and 34 days (range: 12–60 days) (p = .875) in group A and B, respectively. All (n = 14) eyes with retinitis within 1 disc diameter of fovea improved better than 20/80 except 1.

Conclusion

No significant difference with respect to clinical, imaging findings and the treatment outcome was observed in WFT positive or negative cases.

KEYWORDS:

• Epidemic retinitis
• rickettsial retinitis
• post-fever retinitis
• Weil Felix Test
• treatment outcome
• doxycycline
• steroid
• anti-VEGF
• ring retinitis

Declaration of interest

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