A Case of Syphilis with a Rare Finding: Subretinal Hypopyon

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To report clinical features and follow-up of a case with subretinal hypopyon due to syphilis infection.

Case presentation

We present a case of syphilis admitted with optic neuritis and treated with intravenous pulse steroids without antibiotics. The patient was referred to the uvea clinic in the follow-up because of decreased vision and the onset of multiple retinitis foci. We determined subretinal hypopyon in the left eye and a positive TPHA test. A significant regression was observed in retinitis and hypopyon with antibiotic therapy.

Conclusion

Before starting a steroid treatment, infective etiologies should be considered in patients with optic neuritis. Treating with a high dosage of steroids without antibiotics in syphilis would worsen the clinical features and prognosis.

KEYWORDS:

• Ocular syphilis
• optic neuritis
• retinitis
• subretinal hypopyon
• syphilis

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

No specific grant for this research was received from any funding agency in public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.