Bilateral anterior optic neuritis in adult measles infection without encephalomyelitis

Infectious optic neuropathies: a clinical update

Different forms of optic neuropathy causing visual impairment of varying severity have been reported in association with a wide variety of infectious agents. Proper clinical diagnosis of any of these infectious conditions is based on epidemiological data, history, systemic symptoms and signs, and the pattern of ocular findings. Diagnosis is confirmed by serologic testing and polymerase chain reaction in selected cases. Treatment of infectious optic neuropathies involves the use of specific anti-infectious drugs and corticosteroids to suppress the associated inflammatory reaction. The visual prognosis is generally good, but persistent severe vision loss with optic atrophy can occur. This review presents optic neuropathies caused by specific viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal diseases.

Bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis, Guillain-Barré syndrome and asymptomatic central white matter lesions following adult measles infection

A 28-year-old woman presented with classic signs of measles and subsequently developed bilateral retro-bulbar optic neuritis and Guillain-Barré syndrome. Her radiographic and CSF findings were consistent with acute measles encephalitis. However, encephalopathy, such as behavioral changes and alteration in consciousness, was not presented. Improvements in the clinical, radiographic, and electrophysiological studies were observed during the steroid therapy. The overlap of CNS and PNS involvement as neurological complications of measles infection is very rare.