Eva M Friedl, Simona Simmen, Stefan Langenegger, Jeanne M Gunzinger, Barbara Hasse, Sandrine Zweifel, Daniel Barthelmes, Mayss Al-Sheikh
This case highlights tularemia as a rare infectious trigger of macular serpiginous chorioretinitis and underscores the importance of considering zoonotic infections in atypical or rapidly progressive chorioretinal inflammatory disease.
PURPOSE: To report a rare case of bilateral macular serpiginous chorioretinitis associated with Francisella tularensis infection following rabbit exposure.
METHODS: Observational case report with multimodal retinal imaging and extensive systemic and serologic evaluation.
RESULTS: The patient presented with rapidly progressive bilateral central visual loss and placoid macular lesions. Serologic testing confirmed Francisella tularensis infection. Treatment with doxycycline led to regression of inflammatory changes, with residual outer retinal atrophy.
CONCLUSION: This case highlights tularemia as a rare infectious trigger of macular serpiginous chorioretinitis and underscores the importance of considering zoonotic infections in atypical or rapidly progressive chorioretinal inflammatory disease.