Conjunctival suffusion is an
eye
An eye is a sensory organ that allows an organism to perceive visual information. It detects light and converts it into electro-chemical impulses in neurons (neurones). It is part of an organism's visual system.
In higher organisms, the ey ...
finding occurring early in
leptospirosis
Leptospirosis is a blood infection caused by the bacterium ''Leptospira'' that can infect humans, dogs, rodents and many other wild and domesticated animals. Signs and symptoms can range from none to mild (headaches, Myalgia, muscle pains, a ...
, which is caused by ''
Leptospira interrogans''. Conjunctival suffusion is characterized by
redness of the
conjunctiva
In the anatomy of the eye, the conjunctiva (: conjunctivae) is a thin mucous membrane that lines the inside of the eyelids and covers the sclera (the white of the eye). It is composed of non-keratinized, stratified squamous epithelium with gobl ...
that resembles
conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye or Madras eye, is inflammation of the conjunctiva, the thin, clear layer that covers the white surface of the eye and the inner eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness ...
, but it does not involve inflammatory exudates.
Swelling of the conjunctiva (
chemosis) is seen along the corners of the eye (
palpebral fissures
The palpebral fissure is the elliptic space between the medial and lateral canthi of the two open eyelids. In simple terms, it is the opening between the eyelids. In adult humans, this measures about 10 mm vertically and 30 mm horizontally.
Var ...
).
About 30 percent of people with leptospirosis (also known as Weil's disease) develop conjunctival suffusion.
When it does occur, it develops towards the end of the early phase of the illness. Even in severe cases, the suffusion occurs in the first phase of the illness.
Conjunctival suffusion may also occur in patients with a
Hantavirus
''Orthohantavirus'' is a genus of viruses that includes all hantaviruses (family ''Hantaviridae'') that cause disease in humans. Orthohantaviruses, hereafter referred to as hantaviruses, are naturally found primarily in rodents. In general, each ...
infection. In a 1994 study of 17 patients with Hantavirus infections, 3 had conjunctival suffusion.
References
{{Reflist
External links
Leptospirosis
Disorders of conjunctiva
Medical signs