What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

• Oculoglandular Syndrome of Parinaud
• Oculoglandular Syndrome
• Parinaud’s Oculoglandular Syndrome

What is Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome? (Definition/Background Information)

• Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome is an infectious condition that is usually contracted from exposure to cats infected with Bartonella henselae bacterium, or sometimes from rodents that are infected by the bacterium Francisella tularensis
• Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome is a condition of granulomatous conjunctivitis (eye inflammation) affecting one eye and the presence of enlarged lymph glands on the same side as the affected eye. Due to this condition, symptoms such as fever and red/irritated eye may be seen
• The treatment measures depend on the cause of the infection. In some cases, antibiotics may be enough to cure Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome, while in certain cases, surgery to remove the infected tissues may be necessary
• The prognosis depends on the time of diagnosis and appropriate treatment provided. With early diagnosis and immediate treatment, the prognosis of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome is typically good

Who gets Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome? (Age and Sex Distribution)

• Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome can affect individuals of any age. The condition is common in individuals who are in close contact with infected cats and other pets/animals
• No gender preference is seen and both males and females are affected
• All races and ethnic groups are at risk and no predilection is observed

What are the Risk Factors for Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome? (Predisposing Factors)

The biggest risk factor for Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome is exposure to an infected animal, such as a cat. This may occur due to various reasons including:

• Playing or interacting with a cat, or especially a kitten, in manner that may provoke biting or scratching
• Living in an area with a large concentration of ticks
• Participating in activities such as hunting, landscaping, gardening, or working with wildlife
• Individuals with weak immune system have a higher risk for Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome and these include:
  • Those who have HIV infection or AIDS
  • Individuals undergoing cancer treatment
  • Individuals having had a recent organ transplant

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases one's chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome? (Etiology)

Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome can be caused by different types of infectious agents such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, or other parasites.

• Most commonly it occurs due to bacterial infections including cat scratch disease and sometimes, due to rabbit fever (or tularemia)
  • The bacterium involved is Bartonella henselae (causing cat scratch disease) and Francisella tularensis (causing tularemia)
  • Cat scratch disease resembles pink eye, otherwise known as conjunctivitis, and it affects only one eye. The bacteria can infect the eye either by directly entering the eye or being carried by air droplets into the eye and cause Oculoglandular Syndrome
  • The bacteria can also enter the eye through the bloodstream
  • Tularemia is an uncommon infection that involves the skin and lungs
• The most common virus causing the infection is herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV 1)
• Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome can also be caused by fungus such as paracoccidioides brasiliensis

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome?

The signs and symptoms of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome may include:

• Fever
• Feeling of illness
• Pain and irritation in one eye
• The eye turns red or pink in color
• Increased tearing from the eye
• Swelling of lymph glands in front of the ear (on the side of the affected eye)

How is Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome Diagnosed?

The diagnosis of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome may involve the following factors:

• Complete physical examination and evaluation of medical history, including history of interaction with cats
• Assessment of symptoms such as:
  • Fever and other illness signs
  • Red, inflamed eye (in a single eye)
  • Tender lymph nodes being present in front of the ears, on the same side as the affected eye
  • Growths or conjunctival nodules inside the eyelid or within the white region of the eye  

It is also important to conduct the following tests:

• Blood tests to check for infections: Assessment of white blood count that may be high or low compared to the normal count, depending on the cause of the infection
• Laboratory culture of eye fluids, blood cells, or lymph node tissue
• Biopsy of the lymph node 

What are the possible Complications of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome?

The complications of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome may include:

• In some cases during the healing process, skin sores can form in the area of the enlarged lymph glands
• The infections can spread to the bloodstream (and cause systemic infection), or into nearby tissue
• Although rare, cat scratch disease can also affect the eyes, brain, heart, or internal organs, which may require extensive treatment. These complications are more likely to arise in an individual with a weak immune system or a child who is under the age of 5 years
• If Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome is caused by a virus, then many other parts of the body can also be involved

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

How is Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome Treated?

The treatment depends on the cause of the infection. The treatment of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome may involve:

• Antibiotics for bacterial infections (in most cases)
• Antiviral and antifungal medication therapy, if the infection is caused by a virus or a fungus respectively
• Treatment of the signs and symptoms
• Surgery, in rare cases, to remove and clean the infected tissue

How can Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome be Prevented?

The prevention of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome may be undertaken through the following measures:

• Washing/cleaning cat bites and scratches immediately with running water and soap
• Immediately washing hands after interacting/playing with a cat (or any other animal or pet)
• Individuals with weak immune systems should avoid contact with cats
• Avoid playing rough with cats; avoid interaction or playing with stray cats
• Do not allow cats to lick open wounds or even the face
• Avoid contact with wild rabbits, ticks, and squirrels that may potentially cause an infection

What is the Prognosis of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

The prognosis of Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome depends on the cause of the infection.

• An early diagnosis and immediate implementation of treatment can result in a good outcome
• Individuals with a healthy immune system are be able to recover faster
• In individuals with a weaker immune system, treatment using suitable medications usually leads to complete recovery

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome:

• Parinaud Oculoglandular Syndrome differs from Parinaud syndrome, which is caused by a brain tumor. The two conditions should not be confused with each another
• Cat scratch disease is a bacterial infection caused by Bartonella henselae bacteria, which is found in the saliva and claws of cats and kittens. It is transmitted to humans through contact with infected cats, through bite, lick, or scratch

The following article link can help you understand cat scratch disease:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/cat-scratch-disease/