Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus chorioretinitis mimicking ocular toxoplasmosis in two otherwise normal children.

PURPOSE: To report unilateral macular lesions, mimicking toxoplasmic scars, in two children with serological evidence for lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.

METHODS

Case reports.

RESULTS

Patients were 4 and 5 years old, with negative toxoplasma serologies and no sign of rubella, cytomegalovirus, or herpes simplex infection (TORCH evaluation). Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection was detected in both cases by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and confirmed by Western immunoblotting. The modes of infection were unknown; no history of symptomatic systemic lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection was reported, and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus serologies were negative in the mothers of the patients. Neurological examinations and brain magnetic resonance imaging were normal.

CONCLUSION

Our observations suggest that chorioretinal scars can be an isolated manifestation of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus infection.