Journal List > J Korean Ophthalmol Soc > v.51(9) > 1008643

Park, Chung, Lee, and Hong: Cytomegalovirus as a Cause of Recurrent Anterior Uveitis in Immunocompetent Patients

Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to identify various infectious causes in unilateral recurrent hypertensive anterior uveitis in immunocompetent individuals.

Methods

Twenty eyes of 20 patients diagnosed with recurrent hypertensive anterior uveitis, who had negative systemic uveitis lab results, were enrolled. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed in the aqueous humor and peripheral blood specimens to detect the following infectious agents: cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1), varicella zoster virus (VZV), toxoplasma.

Results

The mean age of 20 patients was 41.8 ± 15.9 year (19-77 year), and 14 (70%) patients were male. CMV was positive in 7 eyes (35%) and was detected only in aqueous humor. HSV-1 was positive in 5 (25%) eyes; only in aqueous humor in 2 eyes, only in blood in 1 eye, and in both specimens in 2 eyes. Only 1 (5%) eye was positive for toxoplasma in the aqueous humor.

Conclusions

This study demonstrated that CMV might be another major infectious cause in recurrent hypertensive anterior uveitis in immunocompetent patients. If CMV is detected, it might be reasonable to add appropriate antiviral agents, rather than treating only with immunosuppresive and hypotensive drugs.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Eleven patients whose aqueous or blood showed positive results in PCR*
jkos-51-1245-i001

*PCR=polymerase chain reaction; HSV-1=herpes simplex virus type 1; VZV=varicella zoster virus; §CMV=cytomegalovirus.

Table 2
Detection rates of each infective cause
jkos-51-1245-i002

*PCR=polymerase chain reaction; CMV=cytomegalovirus; HSV-1=herpes simplex virus type 1.

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