HLA-A29-Positive Birdshot Chorioretinopathy in Egyptian Patients

PURPOSE: To report the first HLA-A29‑positive Birdshot Chorioretinopathy (BSCR) patients from Egypt. METHODS: Two patients, from 2 separate cities along the Egyptian Nile Valley, were found to have chorioretinopathy with characteristic "birdshot" pale ill-defined choroidal lesions arranged in a radial fashion emerging from the optic disc, with a relatively quiet anterior segment. On OCT, both patients showed varying degrees of photoreceptor disruption and choroidal structural changes related to long-standing inflammation. RESULTS: HLA-A29 testing was positive in both patients. Both patients tested negative for tuberculosis and sarcoidosis. One patient was started on systemic steroids and immunosuppressive therapy. CONCLUSION: With a few exceptions, BSCR has been predominantly reported in the literature in patients with Northern European ancestry. We urge clinicians to consider BSCR in patients of North African ancestry. Albeit a rare cause of posterior uveitis, BSCR may result in significant and irreversible visual compromise.