A case report of hepatitis B related optic neuritis treated with plasma exchange

Medicine (Baltimore). 2019 May;98(18):e15432. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000015432.

Abstract

Introduction: There are few studies focusing on Binocular hepatitis B related optic neuritis (HB-ON) and associated therapies are still limited. We present a case of HB-ON which has been cured with therapeutic plasma exchange (TPE).

Patient concerns: The patient was diagnosed as acute hepatitis B in hepatology and got a rapid loss of binocular visual acuity (2/100 in the right eye and no light perception in the left eye) after the onset.

Diagnosis: Hepatitis B related optic neuritis.

Interventions: Methylprednisolone and therapeutic plasma exchange.

Outcomes: The treatment of high dose methylprednisolone was not curative. After 5 TPE sessions, the patient's best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) returned to 20/20 in the right eye and finger counting (FC)/40 cm in the left eye. One month later, the visual acuity increased to 5/100 in the left eye.

Conclusion: This is the first case in which we used TPE to cure HB-ON. Also, it can demonstrate the relationship between HB-ON and immunopathogenesis. The case may provide an effective method for the treatment of hormone invalid and disabled ON in clinical practice.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Acute Disease
  • Adult
  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents / therapeutic use
  • Hepatitis B / complications*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Methylprednisolone / therapeutic use
  • Optic Neuritis / complications*
  • Optic Neuritis / therapy*
  • Plasmapheresis / methods*
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Anti-Inflammatory Agents
  • Methylprednisolone