Seasonal hyperacute panuveitis (SHAPU) is an aggressive
eye disease of unknown etiology, first described in 1975.[1] It has been recorded almost exclusively from
Nepal, with the exception of five cases reported from
Bhutan.[2] The disease affects prevalently children and can cause
blindness.[3] In Nepal, it is the most common reported cause of
panuveitis, and in children it is the most prevalent cause of both
uveitis and panuveitis.[4]
Symptoms
The disease almost always affects only one eye. The first sign is usually a painless reddening of the affected eye.[5] Whitening of the
pupil, due to massive
exhudation into the vitreous, is typical, leading to the hallmark "white pupil in a red eye".[1] Visual loss is rapid, taking hours or, at most, few days – two-thirds of the patients are already blind in the affected eye when presenting.[5]Intraocular pressure plummets, eventually causing
phthisis bulbi.[4]
Causes
The cause of seasonal hyperacute panuveitis is unknown. Several bacteria and viruses, such as
anelloviruses, have been tentatively associated with the disease.[4][6] The only known risk factor seems to be contact with an unidentified species of white moths, possibly of the genus Gazalina, known to swarm at the end of the monsoon season.[3][7][8] Moth hairs have been identified in the eyes affected by the disease;[4][9] however, in 2023 several cases were reported with no signs of association with the Gazalina moths.[3]
Seasonality
The disease occurs mostly after the monsoon season, between September and January. Prevalence peaks every two years.[3][4] The causes of the seasonal and biannual patterns are unknown. Almost all cases originate in the subtropical, temperate, and subalpine regions of Nepal.[5]
Treatment
Antibiotic or steroid treatment usually bring little benefit. Some positive outcome has been observed with tempestive
vitrectomy.[1]