Abstract
Purpose:
To determine the cause of bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis followed by progressive outer retinal necrosis in a patient with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
Methods:
Extensive ophthalmologic, neurologic, infectious disease, rheumatologic, and radiologic examinations were performed.
Results:
Cerebrospinal fluid samples taken after the onset of bilateral retrobulbar optic neuritis and before the development of clinical progressive outer retinal necrosis disclosed varicella-zoster virus from polymerase chain reaction and viral culture.
Conclusion:
Ophthalmologists and neurologists should consider varicella-zoster virus optic neuritis as a potential precursor of progressive outer retinal necrosis and as a cause of retrobulbar optic neuritis in patients infected with HIV.
MeSH terms
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / drug therapy
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / etiology*
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AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / pathology
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Adult
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Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
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Cerebrospinal Fluid / virology
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DNA, Viral / analysis
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Eye Infections, Viral* / drug therapy
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Eye Infections, Viral* / etiology
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Eye Infections, Viral* / pathology
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Female
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Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / drug therapy
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Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / etiology*
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Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / pathology
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Herpesvirus 3, Human / genetics
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Herpesvirus 3, Human / isolation & purification
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Humans
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Magnetic Resonance Imaging
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Optic Neuritis / drug therapy
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Optic Neuritis / etiology*
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Optic Neuritis / pathology
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Orbit
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Polymerase Chain Reaction
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Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / etiology
Substances
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Antiviral Agents
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DNA, Viral