Conjunctival injection, episcleral vessel dilation, and subconjunctival hemorrhage in patients with new Tsutsugamushi disease

Tsutsugamushi disease is found in two types: classical and new. There have been very few reports describing the ocular findings in patients with the new form. We have described four patients with this type, selected according to their clinical and laboratory findings, including immunofluorescent titers and polymerase chain reaction results. Eyes were examined by standard ophthalmic procedures. Patient 1 had bilateral conjunctival injection and subconjunctival hemorrhage; patients 2-4 had conjunctival injection and episcleral vessel dilation bilaterally. We believe that conjunctival injection is found in most eyes of patients with new tsutsugamushi disease. (C) 1997 Japanese Ophthalmological Society.