ObjectiveTo observe the safety and efficacy of regime that based on aqueous cytomegalovirus-DNA (CMV-DNA) load and IL-8 determination for therapeutic monitoring and local treatment cessation of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) patients after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).MethodsA prospective case series study. A total of 14 CMVR patients (22 eyes) after allogeneic HSCT diagnosed in Ophthalmology Department of Peking University People's Hospital between January 2016 and December 2018 were involved in this study. All patients were CMV-DNA seronegative at baseline and were treated with intravitreous injection of ganciclovir (IVG, 3 mg in 0.05 ml) twice per week for 4 times in the induction stage and once a week in the maintenance stage. Aqueous humor sample was collected during the first time of IVG every week. CMV-DNA and the level of IL-8 were measured by real time quantitative PCR and ELISA, respectively. During follow-up, negative CMV-DNA (＜103/ml) or level of IL-8＜30 pg/ml in aqueous sample was set as local treatment cessation. Then patients were followed every 2 weeks for at least 6 months. BCVA, intraocular pressure and fundus examination were taken for each visit. The BCVA examination was performed using the international standard visual acuity chart, which was converted into logMAR visual acuity. BCVA and intraocular pressure at the baseline and the last follow-up were compared by the Student t matching test.ResultsOf the 14 CMVR patients (22 eyes) after allogeneic HSCT, 8 patients (16 eyes) were bilateral, 6 patients (6 eyes) were unilateral. At the baseline, the mean logMAR BCVA was 0.814±0.563, the intraocular pressure was 17.2±7.8 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), the mean aqueous CMV-DNA load was (3.43±4.96)×105/ml, the mean level of IL-8 was 518±541 pg/ml. At cessation of local treatment, the median number of intravitreal injections was 5 times. Nine eyes showed negative CMV-DNA in aqueous humor, of which, 7 eyes showed negative IL-8 in aqueous. CMV-DNA could still be detected in 13 eyes, while IL-8 was negative. Only one eye’s retinal lesion was completely quiet. Six months after local treatment cessation, the mean logMAR BCVA was 0.812±0.691, the intraocular pressure was 14.8±5.4 mmHg; which was not significantly different from baseline (t=-0.107, 1.517; P=0.916, 0.137). Recurrence of CMVR happened in only 1 eye because of systemic EB virus infection. Retinal lesions progressively improved and became completely quiet in all the remaining 20 eyes. In 22 eyes, iatrogenic vitreous hemorrhage occurred due to low platelet count during treatment (＜30×109/ml) in 4 eyes. When the treatment was terminated for 6 months, the fundus of hematoma absorption was clearly visible. At the time of CMVR diagnosis, there were 2 eyes (9%) with posterior subcapsular opacity, which may be caused by systemic glucocorticoid therapy after allogeneic HSCT.ConclusionAqueous CMV-DNA load and level of IL-8 could be used as quantitative variables for monitoring the therapeutic effect and determining time for local treatment cessation for CMVR after HSCT safely and efficiently.
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (CMVR) is a common opportunistic infection of the eye after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in patients with hematological diseases. It often occurs within 3 months after the operation, with CMV activation and high blood CMV peaks. It often occurs on patients with long-term CMV viremia, human leukocyte antigen incompatible transplantation, unrelated donor transplantation, haploid transplantation, childhood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, delayed lymphocyte engraftment, acute and chronic graft-versus-host disease after surgery. The visual prognosis of patients is related to the area of CMVR lesions on the retina, the number of quadrants involved, whether the macula is involved, and the CMV load of the vitreous body is involved, and it is not related to whether the Epstein-Barr virus infection is combined with blood and vitreous humor. The incidence of CMVR is increasing year by year. It is helpful that paying attention to systemic risk factors and epidemiology can provide more effective guidance for ophthalmologists during diagnosis and treatment, help patients improve the prognosis of vision, and reduce or even avoid the occurrence of blindness caused by CMVR.
Objective To observe the ocular clinical features of infantile cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. MethodsA retrospective clinical study. From March 2019 to July 2021, 876 eyes of 438 children with CMV infection who visited Department of Ophthalmology of Henan Provincial Children's Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 254 males and 184 females; the age ranged from 3 days to 11 months; the gestational weeks were 28 to 42 weeks; the birth weight was 1 120 to 8 900 g. There were 384 and 54 full-term and premature infants, respectively. Fundus examination was performed in 385 cases (770 eyes) after medical consultation; 53 cases (106 eyes) of premature infants were routinely screened. CMV retinitis (CMVR) was divided into granular type and fulminant type. Patients with CMV-related diseases with moderate to severe symptoms were given intravenous drip and/or oral ganciclovir; patients with severe fundus vasculitis were combined with intravitreal injection of ganciclovir. The follow-up period was from 4 to 28 months, and the characteristics of eye lesions, systemic comorbid diseases and treatment outcomes were observed. ResultsThere were 516 eyes of 258 cases with normal fundus (58.9%, 258/438); 291 eyes of 180 cases with CMVR (41.1%, 180/438), of which binocular and monocular were 111 (61.7%, 111/180) and 69 (38.3%, 69/180) cases. Among the 291 eyes of CMVR, 281 eyes (96.6%, 281/291) of granular type; yellow-white point-like opacity and/or retinal hemorrhage; 10 eyes (3.4%, 10/291) of fulminant type; fundus Showed a typical "cheese ketchup-like" and vascular white sheath-like changes. Among the 180 children with CMVR, 72 patients (118 eyes) were given systemic intravenous drip and/or oral ganciclovir; 5 patients (10 eyes) were given intravitreal ganciclovir, all of which were fulminant CMVR. At the last follow-up, fundus lesions regressed significantly in 100 eyes of 61 cases; 18 eyes of 11 cases had old lesions or uneven retinal pigment; 108 cases were not treated. ConclusionThe most common fundus manifestation of CMV infection in infants is granular retinitis, and fulminant retinitis is more severe, and the lesions can be significantly regressed after timely antiviral treatment.
ObjectiveTo explore safe dosage of single intravitreal injection of ganciclovir (IVG) in healthy rabit eyes, and to explore retinal toxicity of different dosage of ganciclovir after continues intravitreal injection into the vitreous cavity of healthy albino rabbit eyes. MethodsTen healthy New Zealand albino rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 2 rabbits in each group. Each group was injected with 1 mg/0.025 ml, 2 mg/0.025 ml, 5 mg/0.025 ml, 10 mg/0.025 ml ganciclovir or 0.025 ml saline (control group). After 1 week of intervention, rabbits were examined by ultra-wide-angle fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and full field electroretinogram (ERG). The maximum mixed response of rod and cone cells (Max-R) was measured under dark adaption conditions, cone response (Cone-R) and 30 Hz flicker response (30 Hz-R) were measured under light adaption conditions. Twenty-four healthy New Zealand albino rabbits were randomly divided into a low-dose experimental group, a low-dose control group, a high-dose experimental group, and a high-dose control group, with 6 rabbits in each group, with the right eye as the experimental eye. The rabbits in the high-dose experimental group were continuously injected with ganciclovir 2 mg/0.025 ml, once a week, for a total of 4 times. The rabbits in the low-dose experimental group were injected with 1 mg/0.025 ml ganciclovir, the induction period was 2 times/week, a total of 4 times; the maintenance period was 1 time/week, a total of 2 times. The rabbits in the high-dose control group and the low-dose control group were injected with 0.025 ml normal saline into the vitreous cavity respectively. Full-field ERG examination was performed 1 day before each injection and 1 week after the last injection. Max-R was measured under dark-adapted conditions, and Cone-R and 30 Hz-R were measured under light-adapted conditions. OCT was recorded before the first injection and one week after the last injection. One week after the last injection, the experimental rabbits in each group were sacrificed for hematoxylin-eosin staining, and the retinal structure was observed under a light microscope. The comparison of a-wave and b-wave amplitude of Max-R, Cone-R and 30 Hz-R amplitude at different time was performed by two independent sample nonparametric test. ResultsThere were no abnormal results of fundus photography, OCT and ERG after single intravitral injection of 1 mg or 2 mg ganciclovir. One week after single 5 mg IVG, fundus photography of rabbits showed vascular occlusion and preretinal hemorrhage and ERG showed slight decrease of amplitude of Max-R, Cone-R and 30 Hz-R. One week after single 10 mg IVG, retinal necrosis and exudative changes were also observed. OCT showed edema and unclear retinal structure in the necrotic area. ERG showed significant decrease of amplitude of Max-R, Cone-R and 30 Hz-R. After continuous IVG in high dose and low-dose experimental group, the amplitude of Max-R a wave (Z=－0.160, 0.000) and b wave (Z=－0.321, 0.000), Cone-R a wave (Z=－0.641,－0.641) and b wave (Z=－0.321, －0.160), and 30 Hz-R (Z=－0.321,－0.160) showed no difference compared to control group. No histologic evidences of retinal microstructure abnormalities were found in both groups. OCT and fundus photography before and after the intervention did not show any difference, either. ConclusionThere was no retinal toxicity of continuous 1 mg or 2 mg IVG recorded in albino rabbits.
ObjectiveTo observe the image characteristics of OCT in patients of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) with cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR).MethodsThirty-nine eyes of 26 patients of AIDS with CMVR diagnosed in Department of ophthalmology of Beijing Ditan Hospital Capital Medical University from January 2015 to December 2017 were included in this study. All the patients were males, with the mean age of 33.12±9.87 years. All the patients underwent the OCT examination by Spectralis HRA+OCT. The locations of scanning were macular, optical papilla and posterior pole of retina with retinitis. Typical images were saved and analyzed.ResultsThe OCT pathological changes of CMVR included increase of retinal thickness and reflex of retina, indiscernible retinal layers, irregularity or absent external limiting membrane and/or ellipsoid zone, hyperreflective spots, vitreous cells. Among 39 eyes, there were 6 eyes with strong point-like reflection in the outer layer of retina around the lesion, 31 eyes (79.49%) with strong point-like reflection in the full layer of retina, 25 eyes (64.10%) with lesion involved macular area, 34 eyes (87.17%) with vitreous cells.ConclusionsOCT images of the eyes with AIDS with CMVR were characterized by lesions involving the whole retina. Absent ellipsoid zone or structural changes can be seen in the affected areas and peripheral areas of the lesion.
ObjectiveTo summarize the clinical features of cytomegalovirus infection after severe pneumonia in immunocompetent subjects. MethodsTwo cases of cytomegalovirus infection after severe pneumonia in immunocompetent subjects were reported and the literatures were reviewed. ResultsTwo elderly patients were admitted to our Respiratory Intensive Care Unit for severe pneumonia and typeⅠrespiratory failure. After treatment of invasive mechanical ventilation, broad-spectrum antibiotics and steroids, their body temperature became normal with improvement of oxygenation and lung infiltrates on chest radiograph. After extubation, their oxygenation deteriorated, with extensive lung infiltrates on chest X ray. Coincidently, their blood cytomegalovirus DNA became positive and then they were treated with parenteral ganciclovir for more than 2 weeks. After that, their oxygenation and chest radiograph returned to normal. Combined with the results of the related literature, invasive mechanical ventilation and use of corticosteroids could be the risk factors of immunocompetent subjects to develop cytomegalovirus infection after severe pneumonia. The clinical characteristics include deterioration of oxygenation and extensive lung infiltrates without positive pathogenic findings of bacteria and fungi. Quantitive nucleic acid amplification tests for blood cytomegalovirus DNA, cytomegalovirus pp65 antigenemia test and histology/immunohistochemistry are recommended diagnostic tools. Valganciclovir or intravenous ganciclovir are recommended as first-line treatment for at least 2 weeks. ConclusionsCytomegalovirus infection occurs frequently in immunocompe-tent subjects with critical illness. Cytomegalovirus pneumonia should especially be considered in patients with severe pneumonia, receiving mechanical ventilation and steroids. Early diagnosis and treatment may help improve the prognosis of these patients.
ObjectiveTo analyze the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests in the detection of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the diagnosis of patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), using aqueous humor samples. Methods25 AIDS patients (including 21 men and 4 women) were studied. The age of the patients varied from 24 to 59 years, with an average of (39.2±9.3) years. The CD4+ T cell count was from 1 to 523 cells/μl, with a medium of 40 cells/μl. They were infected with human immunodeficiency virus(HIV)for a period from 15 days to 9 years with a median of 10 months. They were divided into three groups according to the fundus and treatment, including untreated cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR), treated CMVR and control group. There were 10 patients without anti-CMV treatment and 7 patients treated previously with foscarnet or ganciclovir whose eyes were diagnosed CMVR. Control group has 8 patients who had normal fundus or minor retinopathy excluded from CMVR. Approximately 100 μl of aqueous humor was obtained by anterior-chamber paracentesis and PCR was performed in all cases. ResultsThere were CMV DNA in 9 of 10 eyes with untreated CMVR (90.0% sensitivity). Of 7 specimens from eyes with treated CMVR, 3 were CMV PCR positive (42.9% sensitivity). All 8 samples of the control group were negative for CMV DNA, indicating the clinical specificity of our PCR was greater than 99.9% for CMVR. The anterior chamber paracentesis did not cause any complications in our patients except for a patient with subconjunctival hemorrhage. ConclusionsThe assay had an estimated sensitivity of 90.0% in detecting untreated CMVR and a sensitivity of 42.9% in detecting CMVR that had been treated. The specificity of this assay was greater than 99.9%.
Objective To observe the fundus characteristics of acquired immune deficiency syndrome （AIDS) with cytomegalovirus retinitis （CMVR）. Methods Twenty-seven AIDS patients （44 eyes）with CMVR were studied. All the patients had undergone the examinations of visual acuity, intraocular pressure, slit lamp microscope, indirect ophthalmoscope and color fundus photography. The fundus lesions were divided into active lesions and chronic lesions, and the active lesions were subdivided into central, peripheral and mixed types which involving both the posterior and peripheral fundus. Results Of 27 patients （44 eyes）, 19 patients（29 eyes）had active lesions. Five patients （six eyes, 13.6%） had central lesions （exudation， hemorrhage and vascular sheath in the posterior retina）, nine patients （15 eyes, 34.1%） had peripheral yellow and white granular lesions. Five patients （eight eyes, 18.2%） had mixed lesions. Chronic lesions were found in eight patients（15 eyes, 34.1%）, which showed pigment and scarring lesions along vascular branches. Conclusion The fundus lesions of AIDS with CMVR have distinct features.
ObjectiveTo observe aqueous cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA load in patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT), and to explore influencing factors for transient elevation of CMV-DNA load during the treatment. MethodsA retrospective study. From January 2016 to July 2020, 28 eyes of 19 patients with CMVR after Allo-HSCT diagnosed in the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University People's Hospital were included in the study. Among them, there were 8 males with 12 eyes, 11 females with 16 eyes; the mean age was 28 years; 10 patients were unilateral and 9 patients were bilateral. During the course of treatment and follow-up, the blood CMV-DNA remained negative. All patients were treated with intravitreal injection of 60 mg/ml ganciclovir 0.05 ml (containing ganciclovir 3 mg), twice a week for two weeks in induction phase and weekly injection in maintenance phase. Aqueous humor sample was collected during injection of ganciclovir (IVG) and CMV-DNA load was determined by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Intravitreal treatment was terminated if aqueous CMV-DNA load turned negative after the fourth or later intravitreal injection. The patients were followed up every 2 weeks for at least 6 months. Serum CMV-DNA was negative in all patients during treatment and follow-up. All the eyes were divided into continuous decline group and non-continuous decline group depending on whether there was transient elevation of aqueous CMV-DNA load, and data between two groups were compared. Pearson linear regression analysis was used to analyze the correlation between aqueous CMV-DNA load and injection times or treatment duration. ResultsAt the end of treatment, the median number of IVG in the affected eye was 7 (4, 9). The results of correlation analysis showed that the aqueous humor CMV-DNA load of the affected eye was related to the number of treatments [R2=0.385, P＜0.000 1, B=－0.237 log10 copies/(ml · time)], and the duration of treatment [R2=0.394, P <0.000 1, B=－0.301 log10 copies/(ml · week)] were negatively correlated. Among the 28 eyes, 13 eyes (46.4%, 13/28) in the continuous decline group and 15 eyes (53.6%, 15/28) in the non-sustained decline group. Baseline visual acuity (t=－1.223), intraocular pressure (t=1.538), aqueous humor CMV-DNA load (t=－0.109), retinitis lesion area (Z=－0.308) in the continuous decline group and the non-continuous decline group), the number of quadrants involved (Z=－0.024) and whether the macula was involved (Z=－1.826), combined with anterior segment inflammation (Z =－0.499), combined with high intraocular pressure (Z=－1.342), terminal visual acuity (t =－0.845), intraocular pressure (t=－0.068), total IVG times (Z=0.907), age (Z=－0.832), gender composition (Z=－1.074), etc. The difference was not statistically significant (P＞0.05). ConclusionThe CMV-DNA load in aqueous humor decreases by about 50% every week during the treatment of CMVR eyes after Allo-HSCT; the transient increase in the CMV-DNA load in the aqueous humor during treatment does not affect the treatment process and clinical prognosis.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the efficacy and safety of reduced-dose intravitreal ganciclovir for the treatment of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR).MethodsA prospective observational cohort study observed 15 AIDS patients (28 eyes) who suffered from CMVR onset between January 2016 and December 2018 at Nanning Aier Eye Hospital. Among this 28 eyes, BCVA of 6 eyes (21.4%) were between moving hand to counting finger, 15 eyes (53.6%) were between 0.02 to 0.1 and 7 eyes were better than 0.1 (25.0%). All eyes received intravitreal injection 0.1 ml of ganciclovir at 4 mg/ml (contain ganciclovir 0.4 mg). The induction regimen was twice weekly for 2 weeks and a maintenance period of the same dose weekly. The mean number of injections was 7.1±1.7 times. For hospitalized patients who had no contraindicated received a 14-day twice daily intravenous ganciclovir (IVG) 5.0 mg/kg·d until complete resolution of CMVR. All patients were divided into intravitreal ganciclovir (IVTG) group and IVTG+IVG group according to different treatment plans, which were 5 cases with 8 eyes and 10 cases with 20 eyes, respectively. The follow-up was more than 6 months. BCVA, complete resolution or stable of the lesion and complications were observed.ResultsSix months later, 20 eyes (71.4%) had a obvious reduced or disappeared of the anterior chamber and vitreous inflammation, and the retinal lesions became stable or complete resolution. 24 eyes showed improvements of BCVA and 4 eyes showed stable. 2 eyes (7.1%) presented with BCVA ≤ counting finger, 7 eyes (25.0%) were 0.02 - 0.1 and 19 eyes were ≥ 0.1 (67.9%). Compared with before treatment, the ratio of BCVA that less than or equal to counting finger and between 0.02 to 0.1 decreased (21.4% vs 7.1% and 53.6% vs 25.0%, respectively), but the ratio of BCVA better than 0.1 increased (25.0% vs 67.9%). When IVTG+IVG group was compared with IVTG group, the average time-to-resolution of CMVR were 83.2±25.2 and 85.3±24.4 days respectively. There was no significant difference in resolution times (Z=0.17, P=0.87). The ratio of retinal lesions became stable or complete resolution were 75.0% (15 eyes) and 62.5% (5 eyes), there was no evident difference in time-to-resolution between the two groups (F=0.42, P=0.51). No recurrence was seen during the follow-up period. In cases of unilateral CMVR, there were no patients with a second eye involvement during the follow-up period. No endophthalmitis, vitreous hemorrhage, retinal detachment were found in our study.ConclusionReduced-dose intravitreal ganciclovir is a safe and effective treatment option for CMVR.