Bilateral Neuroretinitis Induced by Scrub Typhus in China

A 51-year-old female sanitation worker in China developed bilateral neuroretinitis due to scrub typhus. Initially diagnosed with ‘scrub typhus infected pneumonia’, her symptoms subsided within seven days of chloramphenicol treatment. However, two weeks later, she experienced acute bilateral vision loss. Fundoscopy revealed swollen optic discs, exudates, and a small macular pigment epithelial detachment. Diagnosed with scrub typhus-related neuroretinitis, her vision improved after methylprednisolone treatment. This represents the first reported case of such in southern China, suggesting a delayed immune response to scrub typhus. Early diagnosis and proper treatment are crucial for vision prognosis.