Urinary Tract Infection Masquerading as a Neuromyelitis Optica Spectrum Disorder Exacerbation: A Case Report
Abstract
Abstract Introduction Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a relapsing autoimmune demyelinating disease, characterized by severe attacks of optic neuritis and transverse myelitis. Distinguishing true relapses from infection-related pseudo-exacerbations is essential, particularly in immunosuppressed patients where clinical presentations may be atypical. Case Presentation An 83-year-old woman with AQP4-IgG-positive NMOSD and Parkinson’s disease presented with acute visual loss and altered mental status, initially suspected to represent a relapse. Empirical intravenous corticosteroids were administered, but her condition worsened with new hallucinations. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed no new demyelinating lesions. Urinalysis and culture confirmed a urinary tract infection due to Klebsiella oxytoca. Corticosteroids were discontinued, and antibiotic therapy initiated, leading to resolution of mental status changes and a return to baseline vision. Follow-up neuro-ophthalmic examination confirmed stability without new inflammatory activity. Conclusion Urinary tract infection can masquerade as an NMOSD exacerbation, complicating diagnosis in elderly immunosuppressed patients.
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a case report, done in people. Its evidence level is 5 of 5 (Very low · case / narrative / animal / in vitro / in silico). Case reports, narrative reviews, and animal, cell or computer-model studies give the weakest evidence for human health.
Read the paper
Related studies
- Association of lower urinary tract symptoms and OAB severity with quality of life and mental health in China, Taiwan and South Korea: results from a cross-sectional, population-based study
- Ten-Day Quadruple Therapy Comprising Low-Dose Rabeprazole, Bismuth, Amoxicillin, and Tetracycline Is an Effective and Safe First-Line Treatment for Helicobacter pylori Infection in a Population with High Antibiotic Resistance: a Prospective, Multicenter, Randomized, Parallel-Controlled Clinical Trial in China
- The Role of the NLR and PLR in Urinary Tract Infection
- Threat of Antimicrobial Resistance among Pilgrims with Infectious Diseases during Hajj: Lessons Learnt from COVID-19 Pandemic
- Leclercia adecarboxylata urinary tract infection in a patient with bladder cancer and recurrent hematuria
- A Case Series of Staphylococcus lugdunensis Infection in Cancer Patients at an Academic Cancer Institute in the United States
Go deeper in Evidence Hub
Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.