CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-ASSOCIATED ACUTE RETINAL NECROSIS SYNDROME

PURPOSE: To describe a case of acute retinal necrosis syndrome in whic h a polymerase chain reaction-based assay provided evidence for cytome galovirus as the causative agent of the syndrome. METHODS: Polymerase chain reaction based as says were used to analyze a vitreous aspirate from a 70-year-old man with acute retinal necrosis syndrome. The speci men was tested for cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. RESULTS: The polymerase chain reacti on assay for cytomegalovirus was positive, and polymerase chain reacti on assays for varicella zoster virus and herpes simplex virus type 1 a nd type 2 were negative. CONCLUSION: Cytomegalovirus may be a causativ e agent of acute retinal necrosis syndrome.