From the Research
Etiology of Optic Neuritis Infection
The etiology of optic neuritis infection is complex and multifaceted. Some of the possible causes include:
- Herpes viruses, such as HSV-1, VZV, and EBV, which have been found to be more frequent in patients with optic neuritis compared to controls 1
- Autoimmune disorders, such as multiple sclerosis, which is the most common cause of demyelinating optic neuritis 2
- Infectious and inflammatory conditions, such as neuromyelitis optica and MOG-associated disorder 3, 4
- Idiopathic causes, which account for about one third of optic neuritis cases 3
- Systemic diseases, such as sarcoidosis, lupus, and Sjögren syndrome, which can cause optic neuritis in rare cases 4
Types of Optic Neuritis
There are different types of optic neuritis, including:
- Typical optic neuritis, which is strongly associated with multiple sclerosis 2
- Atypical optic neuritis, which has a varied etiology and requires careful diagnosis and management 3, 4
- Relapsing inflammatory optic neuritis (RION), which is characterized by recurrent episodes of optic neuritis without any evidence of multiple sclerosis 4
- Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), which is a rare condition that can cause optic neuritis and myelitis 4, 5
Pediatric Optic Neuritis
Pediatric optic neuritis can be a clinically isolated and self-limiting event or may present in the context of underlying neurologic, infective, or systemic disease 5. The etiology and prognosis of pediatric optic neuritis can vary depending on the underlying cause, and careful evaluation and follow-up are necessary to define its pathogenic pathway and evolution 5