Multicenter Retrospective Study of Spiroplasma ixodetis Infantile Cataract in 8 Countries in Europe
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Spiroplasma ixodetis has been reported to cause the rare combination of cataract and uveitis in infants. Through a retrospective analysis of available literature and additional unpublished cases, we identified 28 eyes from 18 infants from 8 countries in Europe with cataracts and intraocular inflammation. The cataracts were bilateral in 55.6%, unilateral in 44.4%, and progressive in 46.4% of patients. Granulomatous anterior uveitis was found in all infants. Presence of S. ixodetis was supported by PCR (positive in 89.3% of eyes tested), transmission electron microscopy (positive in 90% of eyes tested), or culture of aspirated lens material (positive in 87.5% of eyes tested). Treatment with macrolide antimicrobial drugs, corticosteroids, and lensectomy appeared to be effective. Two patients had a recurrence of the uveitis after lens extraction and needed prolonged treatment. To increase awareness of S. ixodetis, we suggest its inclusion with the organisms of the TORCH acronym.
Source: Emerging infectious diseases
Authors: Luc Van Os, Nathalie Cassoux, Symira Cholidis, Pascal Dureau, Navid Farassat, Fabienne Catherine Fierz, Ebba Ghyczy, Elena-Cristina Nitulescu, Eva Stifter, Marie-José Tassignon, Anne Le Flèche-Matéos, Birgit Lorenz, for the Spiroplasma Infantile Cataract Group
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4410817708