Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis activity is accurately reflected by the presence and level of CMV DNA in aqueous humor and vitreous

Citation
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
Citations number
15
Categorie Soggetti
Clinical Immunolgy & Infectious Disease",Immunology
Journal title
JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES
ISSN journal
00221899 → ACNP
Volume
179
Issue
5
Year of publication
1999
Pages
1249 - 1253
Database
ISI
SICI code
0022-1899(199905)179:5<1249:C(RAIA>2.0.ZU;2-V
Abstract
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.