Effect of combination antiretroviral therapy on cytomegalovirus retinitis.

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To study the various changes in the course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis following combination antiretroviral treatment. METHODS: Combination antiretroviral treatment was given to 12 patients with active CMV retinitis following which all anti-CMV medications were discontinued once the CD4 cell counts were > 100/mm3 for 3 months. RESULTS: The median CD4 cell count increased from 36.5/mm3 (range, 3-74/mm3) at baseline to 175.5/mm3 (range, 97-410/mm3) at 3 months. No patient had reactivation of CMV retinitis or developed extraocular CMV infection during median follow-up of 16.7 months. In one patient with peripheral active CMV retinitis, the retinitis resolved completely and remained so throughout the follow-up period without specific anti-CMV treatment. Five (41.7%) patients had immune recovery vitritis. CONCLUSION: Patients receiving combination antiretroviral treatment following treatment for CMV retinitis have better control of CMV retinitis but immune recovery vitritis is a common sequelae. Reactivation of CMV retinitis is common in patients who discontinue combination antiretroviral treatment.