Conjunctival suffusion is an
eye finding occurring early in
leptospirosis, which is caused by ''
Leptospira interrogans
''Leptospira interrogans'' is a species of obligate aerobic spirochaete bacteria shaped like a corkscrew with hooked and spiral ends. ''L. interrogans'' is mainly found in warmer tropical regions. The bacteria can live for weeks to months in the g ...
''. Conjunctival suffusion is characterized by
redness of the
conjunctiva
The conjunctiva 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 goblet cells, stratified columnar epithelium ...
that resembles
conjunctivitis
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid. It makes the eye appear pink or reddish. Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur. The ...
, but it does not involve inflammatory exudates.
Swelling of the conjunctiva (
chemosis
Chemosis is the swelling (or edema) of the conjunctiva. The term derives from the Greek ''chem-'' meaning chemical and ''-osis'' meaning denoting action. A chemical reaction, or in this case, a chemical reaction of the conjunctiva which is du ...
) 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.
Va ...
).
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 single-stranded, enveloped, negative-sense RNA viruses in the family '' Hantaviridae'' within the order ''Bunyavirales''. Members of this genus may be called orthohantaviruses or simply hantaviruses.
Orthohantav ...
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