[Herpes simplex virus type 1 acute retinal necrosis two years after presumably herpetic meningoencephalitis].

CASE REPORT: We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with uveitis in her right eye. She suffered from meningoencephalitis two years before. In the ophthalmic examination she showed no light perception, mild anterior uveitis and severe vitritis, which prevented from visualizing the retina. We suspected herpetic acute retinal necrosis (ARN), so therapy with intravenous acyclovir was started and a diagnostic vitrectomy was performed. Peripheral retinal necrosis and pallor of the optic disc were observed. PCR of the vitreous was positive for herpes simplex virus type I.

DISCUSSION: This is probably a case of brain-to-eye virus transmission. According to this, the ARN would support the etiologic suspicion of the previous encephalitis.