Ocular manifestations of West Nile virus infection: A case report and systematic review of the literature.

Abstract

Purpose: To report the case of a patient with ocular West Nile virus infection (WNVI) and to describe the demographics, eye characteristics, and treatment of patients with WNVI reported in the literature.

Methods: Systematic literature search using the PubMed MEDLINE database searching for all cases of ocular WNVI published from inception until October 14, 2023. Inclusion criteria were patients with serologic and/or cerebrospinal fluid diagnosis of WNVI with ocular involvement.

Results: A total of 60 patients (111 eyes), including the present case, were included. Most patients were males (57%), diagnosed in the United States (77%), and with a mean age at presentation of 54 years. The median time elapsed between the viral prodrome, and eye symptoms was 7 days. Neurologic involvement was present in 47 (78%) patients. Diabetes mellitus was the most frequent systemic comorbidity (45%). Posterior segment findings were present in 107 (96%) eyes. Multifocal chorioretinal lesions (86%), vitreous inflammation (51%), intraretinal hemorrhages (43%), and retinal vasculitis (21%) were the most frequent findings. Fluorescein angiography was performed in 88 (79%) eyes. Fifty-seven (51%) eyes did not receive treatment. Topical and systemic steroids were prescribed to 35% and 28% of eyes, respectively.

Conclusion: WNVI should be considered as a potential diagnosis in older patients who exhibit posterior uveitis, especially if they have recently experienced flu-like symptoms and have been exposed to mosquitoes. A comprehensive ocular assessment, which includes a dilated fundus examination and ocular imaging studies, can help raise suspicion for this condition even before serological confirmation is obtained.