Effect of Ganciclovir on cytomegalovirus Retinitis of a Renal Transplant Patient without Maintenance Therapy

ABSTRACT

Cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV), an opportunistic infection of a immunocompromised patient, is a necrotizing retinitis occurred in AIDS or the patient using immunosuppressants. A 31-years-old male taken immunosuppressants after renal transplantation, had white granular foci and perivascular sheathings in the uper temporal retina of both eyes. Serologic test demonstrated positive response to bith IgG and IgM antibody against CMV. Argon laser photocoagulation was done and ganciclovir was intravenously treated 300 mg every 12 hours for three weeks without maintenance therapy. Nine months after treatment, there was no recurrence of retinitis. This result suggests CMV retinitis of renal transplanted patient may not need the maintenance therapy of ganciclovir.