Il. Smith et al., Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis activity is accurately reflected by the presence and level of CMV DNA in aqueous humor and vitreous, J INFEC DIS, 179(5), 1999, pp. 1249-1253
To evaluate the potential of ocular and systemic specimens to provide marke
rs of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis, we examined the relationship
between virologic and clinical aspects of CMV infections in AIDS patients w
ith CMV retinitis, CMV polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of 74 aqueo
us humor and vitreous specimens indicated that ocular specimens can provide
accurate markers to differentiate active and inactive CMV retinitis (aqueo
us or vitreous PCR, P < .001). Moreover, these markers were superior to ext
raocular measures, including plasma PCR (P = .08) and blood and urine CMV c
ultures (P = .05). A direct correlation was identified between the quantity
of CMV DNA in aqueous humor or vitreous specimens and the corresponding su
rface area of active CMV retinitis (r(2) = .69 and .44, respectively). Thus
, qualitative and quantitative PCR-based analyses of aqueous humor can prov
ide valuable markers of CMV retinitis activity. Such assays could provide r
apid and reliable tools to assist in management of patients with CMV retini
tis in whom the view of the retina is obscured.