Poststreptococcal syndrome uveitis: a descriptive case series and literature review.

PURPOSE

To describe the clinical features in a series of patients with poststreptococcal uveitis and to review literature on the pathophysiology and management.

DESIGN

Retrospective and descriptive case series.

PARTICIPANTS

Ten consecutive cases of poststreptococcal syndrome uveitis diagnosed between 1996 and 2003.

METHODS

Review of patient case notes.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Age, laterality, clinical features, and anti-streptococcal lysin O titers.

RESULTS

Ten consecutive cases of poststreptococcal syndrome uveitis were identified. All our cases had bilateral nongranulomatous inflammation and raised anti-streptococcal lysin O titers. Collating data from previous reports and this series showed that 96% of the patients were below 40 years of age, and 87.5% had evidence of previous streptococcal infection. One third of the patients had posterior segment involvement. In our patients, this was in the form of vitritis, focal retinitis, optic disc swelling, and multifocal choroiditis.

CONCLUSIONS

Poststreptococcal syndrome uveitis should be considered in the etiology of acute bilateral nongranulomatous uveitis in children and young patients.