A Review of Complications and Ocular Manifestations of West Nile Virus Infection

Elham  Goudarzi; Nasser  Harzandi; Siamak  Moradian; Mostafa  Qaderi; Mostafa Haji  Mollahosseini

doi:10.18502/ssu.v32i12.17942

Elham Goudarzi Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Nasser Harzandi Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Siamak Moradian Ophthalmologist, Faculty Member of Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Mostafa Qaderi Department of Microbiology, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.
Mostafa Haji Mollahosseini Department of Immunology, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/ssu.v32i12.17942

Keywords: West Nile virus, Chorioretinitis, Anterior uveitis, Retinal vasculitis, Optic neuritis and vitritis

Abstract

Introduction: The West Nile Virus is a single-stranded RNA virus with an envelope that is part of the Flaviviridae family, and it causes diseases that can be transmitted between humans and animals. This research involved a review of around 40 articles regarding the ocular manifestations linked to the West Nile Virus, utilizing sources including Magiran, Google Scholar, SID, and others in Persian and English. Key results were gathered and showcased following assessment and comparison. . Although fever, neurological disorders, and other systemic manifestations of West Nile virus infection are the most recognized clinical signs, findings related to ocular symptoms have been studied less extensively. The most common ocular features of infection reported are non-specific scattered or linear chorioretinal lesions, anterior uveitis, retinal vasculitis, optic neuritis, and vitritis. Nystagmus, abductor nerve paralysis, optic disc edema, lack of corneal reflex, blurred vision, flying flies, redness, visual field defect and diplopia have also been reported in some cases. Ocular symptoms of West Nile virus infection typically resolve on their own.

Conclusion: The recent identification of ocular manifestations associated with West Nile infection complicates long-term prognosis for patients. Nevertheless, the majority of patients exhibiting chorioretinitis improve gradually, and their visual acuity reverts to its previous condition within several months. Therefore, the self-limiting nature of symptoms caused by West Nile virus infection is important in the differential diagnosis of cases and the adoption of the correct approach in therapeutic interventions.