Recurrence of tubercular choroiditis following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination

Eur J Ophthalmol. 2023 May;33(3):NP118-NP121. doi: 10.1177/11206721221088439. Epub 2022 Mar 21.

Abstract

Purpose: To report recurrence of tubercular choroiditis following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in two patients with quiescent disease activity for more than a year.

Methods: Retrospective observational case reports.

Results: Two patients (one female and one male) under follow-up for posterior uveitis having stable course with absence of ocular inflammation for more than a year presented with recurrence of choroiditis lesions 2-6 weeks following anti-SARS-CoV-2 vaccination. Both the patients were managed with intravitreal dexamethasone implant (Ozurdex®, Allergan, Inc., Irvine, CA, USA) and showed resolution of choroiditis lesions upon follow-up.

Conclusions: Acute onset recurrence of inflammation, in absence of any change in health status or treatment suggests the potential role of vaccination being the trigger of this reactivation. Given large-scale vaccination against novel coronavirus- SARS-CoV-2, careful vigilance is warranted to pick up the disease recurrence in patients with posterior uveitis.

Keywords: IMMUNOLOGY; RETINA; UVEA; UVEITIS; choroidal/retinal inflammation; immunology; posterior uveitis.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19*
  • Choroiditis* / diagnosis
  • Choroiditis* / drug therapy
  • Dexamethasone
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Inflammation
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • SARS-CoV-2
  • Uveitis, Posterior* / diagnosis
  • Uveitis, Posterior* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Dexamethasone