IDENTIFICATION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS IN VITREOUS USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

A presumptive clinical diagnosis of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis wa s made in two patients presenting with atypical ophthalmologic finding s. The diagnosis was confirmed by finding specific CMV DNA sequences i n sampled vitreous fluid using a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) based assay. Neither of these patients yielded CMV on culture or PCR of per ipheral blood leucocytes, nor was CMV present in tears or urine of eit her patient. Serum antibody titres were stable and did not help in est ablishing the diagnosis. This report suggests that CMV retinitis can o ccur in the absence of disseminated CMV disease.