OCULAR FLORA OF PATIENTS WITH AIDS COMPARED WITH THOSE OF HIV-NEGATIVE PATIENTS

Purpose, To determine whether there are quantitative or qualitative di fferences in the ocular flora of patients with acquired immunodeficien cy syndrome (AIDS) compared with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-ne gative patients. Methods, Forty patients with AIDS and 42 HIV-negative controls were sex and age matched. All subjects had a detailed anteri or segment examination, including Schirmer's test, rose bengal stainin g, and quantitative cultures of the conjunctiva and lids. Statistical evaluation of the relation between AIDS, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (K CS), and ocular flora was performed, Results, No differences were obse rved in the types or numbers of organisms isolated from the conjunctiv a or lids of patients with AIDS and HIV-negative subjects. Ocular flor a was not influenced by use of systemic antibiotics, level of immunosu ppression as measured by CD4 lymphocyte counts, KCS, or other ocular-s urface disease, One AIDS patient was colonized by large numbers of Hae mophilus influenzae OU with minimal clinical signs of inflammation or infection. Conclusion, There do not appear to be any differences in th e ocular flora of HIV-negative patients and patients with AIDS. Presen ce of KCS and level of immunosuppression do not appear to affect the o cular flora in patients with AIDS.