Ocular syphilis with optic disc neovascularization treated with bevacizumab evaluated by OCT angiography and electroretinography

• Published in: Journal of ophthalmic inflammation and infection Vol. 10; no. 1; p. 28
• Main Authors: Miura, Gen, Baba, Takayuki, Takeishi, Marie, Tatsumi, Tomoaki, Yokouchi, Hirotaka, Yamamoto, Shuichi
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 30-10-2020; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Atrophy; Bevacizumab; Brief Report; Edema; Enzymes; ERG; Immunotherapy; Infections; Inflammation; Medical imaging; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Monoclonal antibodies; OCTA; Ophthalmology; Optic disc neovascularization; Optics; Retina; Syphilis; Optic disc neovascularization; ERG; OCTA; Syphilis; Bevacizumab
• ISSN: 1869-5760; 1869-5760
• DOI: 10.1186/s12348-020-00219-x

We present our findings in an atypical case of ocular syphilis with optic disc neovascularization that was treated with intravitreal bevacizumab and followed by multimodal imaging and electroretinography. A 29-year-old man presented with a chief complaint of night blindness of one-year duration. Our initial examination showed that an optic disc neovascularization was present, and the optical coherence tomographic (OCT) images showed a reduction in the length of the ellipsoid zone of both eyes. Fluorescein angiography showed leakage from the optic disc neovascular tissue, and the presence of nonperfused areas in the peripheral retina. Blood test was strongly positive for syphilis. He was administered oral amoxicillin and prednisolone. He was also treated with an intravitreal injection of bevacizumab which led to a rapid suppression of the neovascularization. However, panretinal photocoagulation had to be performed because OCT angiography and fluorescein angiography detected residual neovascularization. Although these treatments suppressed the activity of the ocular syphilis, electrophysiological improvements were not seen even 1 year after the initial treatment. OCT angiography and electroretinogram are useful techniques for monitoring the effectiveness of the treatments.