Active cytomegalovirus retinitis after the start of antiretroviral therapy

Br J Ophthalmol. 2019 Feb;103(2):157-160. doi: 10.1136/bjophthalmol-2018-312406. Epub 2018 Sep 8.

Abstract

Patients with AIDS-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis receiving combined antiretroviral therapy (cART), but not specific anti-CMV therapy, consistently showed active retinitis for several months. Delayed diagnosis and treatment of CMV retinitis may have severe consequences. Patients first entering care with advanced HIV infection and vulnerability to reactivation of latent CMV infection should be screened immediately for CMV retinitis by dilated indirect ophthalmoscopy and treated with specific anti-CMV therapy without delay, in addition to cART.

Keywords: AIDS-related opportunistic infections; CMV retinitis; cytomegalovirus; diagnosis CMV retinitis; eye examination in AIDS; treatment CMV retinitis.

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / diagnosis*
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / immunology
  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / diagnosis*
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / immunology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Ophthalmoscopy
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Visual Acuity / physiology

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents