Platelet Transfusion Related Panophthalmitis and Endophthalmitis in Patients with Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever

An update on the ocular manifestations of dengue

Dengue is the most common arboviral disease. It is typically spread by the bite of an infected female Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Dengue is endemic in subtropical and tropical regions, but its geographic reach keeps expanding. Ophthalmic manifestations of dengue are common and may present with a wide spectrum of ophthalmic findings. These may range from conjunctival petechiae, retinal hemorrhage, retinal vasculitis to panophthalmitis. Some of these may be vision threatening and may require urgent ophthalmic evaluation. The precise pathophysiologic mechanisms involved in dengue infection involve a complex interplay between host immune responses, virus, and host genes. There is no specific treatment for ocular dengue. Therefore, treatment is supportive. Despite the lack of proven efficacy, corticosteroids have been used in vision-threatening dengue-related ocular complications. Dengue must be considered in endemic areas, and a careful travel history needs to be elicited in nonendemic areas.

Causes of Vision Loss Associated with Dengue Fever in Bihar, India - A Case Series

The incidence and geographic distribution of dengue has increased dramatically in recent years across various parts of the world. Previously, ocular findings in dengue fever were considered rare. We report a spectrum of ocular manifestations presenting with vision loss in the last dengue epidemic in an eastern state of India. This is a retrospective interventional case series of patients with vision loss who were diagnosed with dengue eye disease in the 2022 epidemic. Systemic and ophthalmic examinations were completed on all patients and were analyzed. Fifteen patients had presented with vision loss. The mean age was 41.7 ± 10.8 years, and patients were mostly males. Three patients presented with panophthalmitis and orbital cellulitis. Eight patients were diagnosed with optic neuropathy. Four patients had macular involvement: macular chorioretinitis, macular subhyaloid hemorrhage, and macular hemorrhages in two patients. All patients with optic neuropathy gave a history of mild fever and had remained undiagnosed. The rest had been diagnosed with the more severe dengue hemorrhagic fever. Vision recovered partially or fully in patients with optic neuropathy and macular disease. No eye could be salvaged in any panophthalmitis patients. Thrombocytopenia (platelet count <100 × 109 per liter of blood) was significantly associated with ocular hemorrhage and panophthalmitis, but thrombocytopenia was not significantly seen in optic neuropathy. We conclude that optic neuropathy may be an underreported cause of vision loss in dengue fever. An eye examination is advocated in all patients with dengue eye disease.

Dengue Uveitis - A Major Review

Dengue fever is a significant global public health concern with increasing incidence over the past two decades. The symptoms range from mild to severe, including fever, headache, rash, and joint pain. Ocular complications are prevalent among hospitalized patients, estimated to be between 10% and 40.3%, with varying incidences based on the serotype and severity of dengue. These complications can be hemorrhagic or inflammatory and typically occur after the onset of fever. Modern diagnostic tools such as Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) and Fundus Fluorescein Angiography (FFA) have enabled physicians to better understand the extent of ocular involvement and guide treatment. This article provides an updated overview of the various manifestations of dengue uveitis, including their diagnosis and treatment.

Severe ocular and adnexal complications in dengue hemorrhagic fever: A report of 29 eyes

Purpose:

To describe a series of sight-threatening ocular and adnexal involvement associated with dengue hemorrhagic fever and their treatment options.

Methods:

Retrospective, interventional, non-comparative case series. Medical records of patients who presented with ocular symptoms attributed to dengue hemorrhagic fever were reviewed. Demography, presenting features, and treatment outcomes were recorded. Outcome measures assessed included globe salvage, vision salvage, and visual improvement. The outcome was deemed as favorable if vision salvage was possible and unfavorable if the vision was lost.

Results:

Twenty-nine eyes of 23 patients were included. Bilateral ocular involvement was seen in 6 (26%) patients. The mean age was 37.62 ± 18.68 years (range: 14 to 81 years). Coexistent diabetes mellitus and enteric fever were present in three patients. History of blood transfusion was present in nine (40%) and thrombocytopenia in eight (35%) patients at the time of presentation with ocular complaints. Presenting features included endophthalmitis in 11 (38%), panophthalmitis in 10 (35%), orbital cellulitis with panophthalmitis in four (14%), isolated corneal or scleral melt in three (10%), and orbital hemorrhage with panophthalmitis in one (3%) patient. Globe salvage was achieved in 21/29 eyes (72.4%), vision salvage in 6/29 eyes (20.68%), and improvement in visual acuity was noted in 5/29 eyes (17.24%). Logistic regression analysis revealed no significant effect of any clinical-microbiological factors on globe salvage, vision salvage, and visual improvement. However, visual improvement and globe salvage were possible in eyes that underwent early endoscopic vitrectomy.

Conclusion:

Dengue fever can present with sight-threatening ocular and adnexal inflammation resulting in endophthalmitis and panophthalmitis, orbital cellulitis, corneal and scleral melt, and orbital hemorrhage. Early vitrectomy may improve vision and globe salvage in cases with significant vitritis.