*** Welcome to piglix ***

Cytomegalovirus retinitis

Cytomegalovirus retinitis
Fundus photograph-CMV retinitis EDA07.JPG
Fundus photograph of CMV retinitis
Classification and external resources
Specialty ophthalmology
ICD-10 B25.8, H30.9
ICD-9-CM 078.5
MedlinePlus 000665
eMedicine oph/701
MeSH D017726
[]

Cytomegalovirus retinitis, also known as CMV retinitis, is an inflammation of the retina of the eye that can lead to blindness. Caused by human cytomegalovirus, it occurs predominantly in people whose immune system has been compromised, 15-40% of those infected with AIDS. There are different types of retinitis, such as retinitis pigmentosa (causes tunnel vision).

The symptoms of cytomegalovirus retinitis have it usually starting in one eye (and also have the possibility of retinal detachment), presenting as:

Cytomegalovirus (a type of herpes virus) is what causes cytomegalovirus retinitis. Other types of herpes viruses include herpes simplex viruses and Epstein-Barr virus. Once an individual is infected with these viruses they stay in the body for life. What triggers the virus to reactivate are the following (though CMV can also be congenital).

Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV or CMV) is a DNA virus in the family Herpesviridae known for producing large cells with nuclear and cytoplasmic inclusions, CMV infects around 40% of the population worldwide.

Those areas infected by cytomegalovirus have cells evolve to necrosis,though inflammation within the retina is not great. Rhegmatogenous retinal detachments can occur following the development of holes in areas of healed retinitis (retina may be atrophic).Proliferative vitreoretinopathy has been observed in cases of retinal detachment.

The diagnosis of CMV retinitis can be done via the following:

In terms of the treatment of cytomegalovirus retinitis, oral valganciclovir, intravenous ganciclovir, IV foscarnet, and IV cidofovir are all efficient in the treatment of this condition. Also intravitreal injections,an injection of medicine into the vitreous near the retina, of foscarnet in concomitance with oral valganciclovir can be used for treatment as well.


...
Wikipedia

...