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Ocular manifestation of cat-scratch disease in HIV-positive patients.

Curi AL, Machado DO, Heringer G, Campos WR, Orefice F

Department of Ophthalmology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. curiall@nitnet.com.br

PURPOSE: To characterize ocular manifestations of cat-scratch disease in HIV-positive patients. DESIGN: Retrospective case series study. METHODS: Records and photography of patients with the diagnosis of cat-scratch disease and HIV were reviewed. RESULTS: From 2001 and 2004 three patients with cat-scratch disease and HIV were identified. All patients presented with subretinal mass associated with an abnormal vascular network. Fluorescein angiography revealed this abnormal vascular network more clearly. All patients were treated with antibiotics alone with good response. CONCLUSIONS: Subretinal mass associated with abnormal vascular network is characteristic of cat-scratch disease in HIV-positive patients. Fluorescein angiography is important to characterize this vascular pattern, and patients may benefit from systemic treatment.

Published 6 February 2006 in Am J Ophthalmol, 141(2): 400-1.
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