Bilateral acute retinal necrosis in a patient with multiple sclerosis on natalizumab

A 34-year-old Caucasian female presented to the Emory Eye Center in March 2015 with complaints of blurry vision in both eyes for the past 1 week. The patient’s past medical history is notable for multiple sclerosis (MS) diagnosed in 2011 after an episode of bilateral optic neuritis and gait instability. Her MS was initially managed with interferon beta-1a in 2011, but due to recurrent flares, she was transitioned to natalizumab in 2012. She had received monthly infusions of natalizumab with the last infusion 3 weeks prior to presentation. Visual acuity was 20/25 right and 20/50 eccentrically left eye. The pupils were equal and reactive without a relative afferent pupillary defect. Intraocular pressures were 14 in both eyes. Extraocular motility was full and non-painful in both eyes. Anterior segment exam was notable for trace cell in the right eye and 2 + cell in the left eye. Funduscopic examination showed areas of retinal whitening in the macula and periphery in both eyes with more confluent areas of necrosis in the left eye associated with retinal hemorrhage (Fig. 1a, b).

The patient’s clinical presentation was consistent with bilateral acute retinal necrosis, and she was admitted for further evaluation and management. A diagnostic anterior chamber (AC) paracentesis was performed, and the sample was tested for VZV, HSV, CMV, and toxoplasmosis PCR. The patient was given intravitreal injections of foscarnet 2.4 mg/0.1 cm³ and ganciclovir 2 mg/0.1 cm³ in both eyes and administered intravenous acyclovir. The diagnostic AC paracentesis was positive for VZV, and systemic work-up was unrevealing for HIV. Magnetic resonance angiography was negative for evidence of CNS vasculitis. After consultation with neurology, natalizumab was discontinued. Over the next several months, the patient was given multiple bilateral intravitreal injections and continued on systemic oral valacyclovir 1 g three times a day. The infection in the right eye resolved, and she maintained good vision at 20/30 at the last follow-up. However, despite aggressive therapy, the retinitis in the left eye rapidly spread throughout the macula and went on to involve the optic nerve with a drop in vision to hand motion. The patient later developed a macular-sparing combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the left eye. Four months after presentation, the patient underwent scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy with silicon oil and successful reattachment of the retina. Visual acuity in the left eye at the last follow-up was hand motion, limited by macular and optic atrophy. The patient remains off natalizumab and is taking oral valacyclovir 1 g daily.

The case presented herein represents an atypical presentation of acute retinal necrosis. ARN is an infectious uveitis caused by members of the herpes family. The syndrome is characterized by necrotizing retinitis, vitritis, occlusive vasculitis, and rapid progression in the absence of antiviral therapy [3]. ARN is a rare ocular condition and the exact incidence in the USA is unknown; however, evidence from the UK in 2007 estimates an incidence of one case per 1.6 to two million population per year [4].

Risk factors for the development of ARN include recent herpes virus infection, genetic predisposition, and history of immunosuppression. Classically, corticosteroids have been associated with the development of ARN [5]. More recently, natalizumab has been implicated in the development of herpetic retinal necrosis [6‐8]. Natalizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of relapsing and remitting MS and Crohn’s disease [9].

Natalizumab binds to the alpha-4 subunit of integrins expressed on leukocytes and interferes with their ability to adhere to endothelial cells and migrate into the central nervous system and gastrointestinal tract. In patients with MS, natalizumab decreases the CD4+/CD8+ ratio in the CSF compared to peripheral blood resulting in impaired immune surveillance [9, 10]. Patients on natalizumab are at risk for opportunistic infections. The most feared infection is progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy caused by the JC virus. Recent reports by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and others suggest a growing association with herpes-related infections in the CNS and eye [10].

Table 1 illustrates the three previously reported cases of herpetic retinal necrosis in patients receiving natalizumab [6‐8]. All patients discontinued natalizumab, and one case utilized plasma exchange to accelerate natalizumab clearance. All patients received systemic antivirals.

Our patient was treated with systemic intravenous and oral antivirals and intravitreal injections of foscarnet (2.4 mg/0.1 cm³) and ganciclovir (2 mg/0.1 cm³). Despite appropriate therapy, our patient developed a combined tractional and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in the left eye. She underwent scleral buckling and pars plana vitrectomy with silicon oil with successful reattachment of the retina. However, vision remains hand motion at the last follow-up due to macular and optic nerve involvement of the necrotizing retinitis. The right eye was successfully treated and vision remained 20/30.

Acute retinal necrosis is a rare infectious uveitis that can lead to significant visual impairment and blindness despite prompt diagnosis and management. Patients with history of natalizumab immunosuppression must be treated aggressively. We recommend discontinuation of natalizumab and intensive treatment with antivirals. As with other cases of ARN, there is a high risk of retinal detachment and severe vision loss. Consideration should be given to plasma exchange therapy to accelerate natalizumab clearance but should be done only in coordination with neurology and infectious disease teams.