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Cytomegalovirus retinitis and HIV: Case reviews from KwaZulu-Natal Province, South Africa

R Hassan-Moosa, T Chinappa, L Jeena, L Visser, K Naidoo

Abstract


Background. Retinal cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection is a common opportunistic infection and remains a significant contributor to visual loss in patients with AIDS. We highlight the poor outcomes of CMV retinitis in three HIV-infected patients who were initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We conducted a retrospective chart review of advanced stage HIV-infected patients with known CMV retinitis.

Case 1. A 37-year-old man, with a CD4+ cell count of 35 cells/µL, presented for ART initiation with a 5-month history of visual loss in his left eye. Fundoscopy showed left eye CMV retinitis and right eye HIV retinopathy. ART and 5 months of weekly intravitreal ganciclovir injections (left eye) were commenced. Six-month outcomes included virological suppression, and visual acuity in the right eye of 6/6 and in the left eye of 3/60.

Case 2. A 31-year-old woman, with a CD4+ cell count of 39 cells/µL and on tuberculosis therapy, presented for ART initiation. She presented with a 2-month history of decreased visual acuity. Fundoscopy showed bilateral CMV retinitis, which was more pronounced in the left eye. ART and 8 months of intravitreal ganciclovir injections were commenced. Six-month outcomes included virological suppression and visual acuity in the right eye of 6/9, and in the left eye of 6/24.

Case 3. A 29-year-old woman, with a CD4+ cell count of 24 cells/µL, who was on tuberculosis therapy and ART, complained of blurred vision at her 2-month ART follow-up visit. Fundoscopy showed bilateral retinal detachment secondary to CMV retinitis. While silicone oil tamponade and subsequent retinectomy successfully repaired the right eye, extensive damage rendered the left eye irreparable. Six-month outcomes included virological suppression, with 6/120 visual acuity in the right eye and complete blindness in the left eye.

Conclusion. CMV retinitis causes debilitating, permanent sequelae, which is preventable by ART initiation at higher CD4+ cell counts. Despite achieving virological suppression, vision could not be completely restored in these patients, irrespective of the severity of CMV retinitis.

 


Authors' affiliations

R Hassan-Moosa, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

T Chinappa, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

L Jeena, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

L Visser, Department of Ophthalmology, Nelson Mandela Medical School of Medicine, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

K Naidoo, Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA), Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; MRC-CAPRISA HIV-TB Pathogenesis and Treatment Research Unit, Doris Duke Medical Research Institute, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa

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Keywords

CMV retinitis; HIV; AIDS; Case reviews; Visual impairment; Opportunistic infection

Cite this article

South African Medical Journal 2017;107(10):843-846. DOI:10.7196/SAMJ.2017.v107i10.12740

Article History

Date submitted: 2017-09-22
Date published: 2017-09-22

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