Cytomegalovirus Retinitis in Immunosuppressed Hosts

Publisher Website
Google Scholar
Abstract
The course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in 21 eyes of 14 immunosuppressed patients was observed. In 2 patients Toxoplasma and Candida appeared to be causing retinal disease simultaneously. Post-mortem examination was done on 10 eyes from 7 patients. At initial presentation, the retinitis was often asymptomatic and diagnosed during routine examination. The ophthalmoscopic picture was characteristic of cytomegalovirus; the early lesion was a small opaque, white granular area of retinal necrosis that spread in a centrifugal, brush-fire-like manner over 1-8 mo. Vessel sheating and hemorrhages appeared as the disease progressed. In two patients new foci of retinitis developed remote from the original lesion. Four wk to 4 mo. (average, 10 wk) elapsed from the most extensive disease to total resolution. Resolution of active disease left a subtle retinal scar and final visual acuity was reduced in 1/2 the eyes. Repeated ophthalmoscopic examinations can aid in early diagnosis of CMV retinitis and in ascertaining which persons are most at risk for visual loss.

This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit: