Neuroretinitis associated with cat-scratch disease in Japanese patients

Purpose: To clarify the prevalence and clinical profile of neuroretinitis associated with cat-scratch disease (CSD) in Japan. Methods: Japanese patients were searched using a computer web site, Japana Centra Revuo Medicina. Location of patients, medical history, systemic and intraocular findings, treatments and visual outcome were examined. Results: We reviewed 15 eyes of 14 patients, including our own case. Incidences of the disease were more common in summer than in winter and presented in the warmer parts of Japan. All patients had been previously healthy and had been exposed to cats or flea bites. Of the 14 patients, 13 (93%) had febrile illness and seven of these (54%) had lymphadenopathy. Uveitis and macular stars were observed in 11 of 15 eyes (73%). Most patients were treated with antibiotics and systemic steroids and visual prognoses were good. Conclusions: The clinical features of CSD-associated neuroretinitis in Japan are similar to those in other countries. Its distribution may correlate with the prevalence of Bartonella henselae-seropositive cats in Japan.