Reactivation of inflammatory lesions in ocular histoplasmosis.

BACKGROUND

Active inflammation has not been traditionally associated with the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the occurrence of presumed inflammatory chorioretinal lesions in patients with the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome.

METHODS

Patients seen with acute symptoms and a clinical picture of ocular histoplasmosis were observed prospectively between August 13, 1993, and December 2, 1997. Symptoms, visual acuity, and fluorescein sodium angiography were used to document changes in inflammatory loci.

RESULTS

Twelve patients were seen with active inflammatory lesions. Eleven had resolution of the loci with lessening of symptoms and improvement in acuity and angiographic findings. A typical subretinal neovascular membrane developed in 1 patient 8 months after the onset of symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

Inflammatory chorioretinal lesions can reactivate in the ocular histoplasmosis syndrome. In most of these patients, neovascularization did not develop and visual acuity was preserved.