We describe a case of skin rash and bilateral uveitis secondary to Rickettsia conorii infection. A 60-year-old female patient, living in the rural hinterland of Cannes, was referred to our hospital in mid-August 2012 for skin rash, fever, and arthromyalgia. Blood tests showed increased inflammatory markers, hepatic cytolysis and anicteric cholestasis. Ophthalmic examination revealed bilateral papillitis and focal chorio-retinitis. Fluoroscopic angiography demonstrated early hypofluorescence, with a few arteriolar occlusions, and subsequent hyperfluorescence and focal vasculitis. R. conorii antibodies were identified by immunofluorescence antibody test. Investigation of other infective agents and the immunological panel were negative. A 2-week course of doxycycline 200 mg/day was prescribed, and fever rapidly subsided, the skin rash resolved and vision improved. Ophthalmic examination a month and a half later showed almost all retinal lesions had disappeared and inflammation markers had returned to normal.
Keywords: R. conorii; Uveitis.
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