Detachment of retinal pigment epithelium in retinopathy due to malaria

Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol (Engl Ed). 2018 Aug;93(8):406-410. doi: 10.1016/j.oftal.2018.03.005. Epub 2018 May 25.
[Article in English, Spanish]

Abstract

Case report: A 45-year-old man was diagnosed with malaria with neurological involvement. Two months later he referred metamorphopsia in the left eye. Malarial retinopathy was observed in the fundus examination. The Optic Coherence Tomography (OCT) of the macula showed parafoveal pigment epithelium detachment (DEP). Specific anti-malarial treatment was initiated, with the disappearance of the retinopathy being observed.

Discussion: Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for the retinopathy in neurological malaria. A funduscopic examination and macular OCT should be performed in these patients, as it is associated with a higher mortality when there is a retinal involvement.

Keywords: Desprendimiento; Detachment; Epitelio pigmentario; Falciparum; Pigment epithelium; Plasmodium; Retinopathy; Retinopatía.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antimalarials / therapeutic use
  • Chad
  • Doxycycline / therapeutic use
  • Erythrocytes / parasitology
  • Fluorescein Angiography
  • Humans
  • Malaria, Cerebral / complications*
  • Malaria, Cerebral / drug therapy
  • Malaria, Falciparum / complications*
  • Malaria, Falciparum / drug therapy
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Quinidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Quinidine / therapeutic use
  • Quinine / therapeutic use
  • Retinal Detachment / diagnostic imaging
  • Retinal Detachment / drug therapy
  • Retinal Detachment / etiology*
  • Retinal Detachment / pathology
  • Retinal Hemorrhage / etiology
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / diagnostic imaging
  • Retinal Pigment Epithelium / pathology*
  • Tomography, Optical Coherence
  • Travel-Related Illness

Substances

  • Antimalarials
  • Quinine
  • Quinidine
  • Doxycycline
  • quinidine gluconate
  • Prednisone