Summary
Characteristic ophthalmopathological features of retinal lesions in a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) are reported. In situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy revealed severe unilateral cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. The opposite retina which was not involved by CMV showed nonspecific signs of ischaemia in the nerve fiber layer corresponding to cotton-wool spots. Occasional cells of both retinas were positively stained by a mouse monoclonal antibody to the p24 HIV-1 antigen indicating infection of retinal cells by HIV. It is suggested that HIV may directly or indirectly damage retinal tissue and interact with opportunistic pathogens, thus leading to a variety of ocular abnormalities associated with AIDS.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Biggemann B, Voit T, Neuen E, Wechsler W, Wahn V (1987) Neurological manifestations of childhood AIDS. Report of three German cases. Neuropediatrics 18:99–106
Cantrill HL, Erice A, Ussery FM (1987) Recovery of HIV from ocular tissues in patients with AIDS. Ophthalmology 94:Suppl 70
Cantrill HL, Henry K, Sannerud K, Balfour HH (1988) HIV infection of the retina. Letter to the editor. N Engl J Med 318:1539
Farrel P, Heinemann MH, Roberts CW, Polsky B, Gold JWM, Mamelok A (1988) Response of human immunodeficiency virus-associated uveitis to zidouvidine. Am J Ophthalmol 106:7–10
Fay MT, Freeman WR, Wiley CA, Hardy D, Bozzete S (1988) Atypical retinitis in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 105:483–490
Freemann WR, Lerner CW, Mines JA, Lash RS, Nadel AJ, Starr MB, Tapper ML (1984) A prospective study of the ophthalmologic findings in the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 97:133–142
Fujikawa LS, Palestine AG, Nussenblatt RB, Salahuddin SZ, Masur H, Gallo RC (1985a) Isolation of human T-lymphotropic virus type III from the tears of a patient with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Lancet 2:529–530
Fujikawa LS, Salahuddin SZ, Ablashi D, Palestine AG, Masur H, Nussenblatt RB, Gallo RC (1985b) Human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus III in the conjunctival epithelium of a patient with AIDS. Am J Ophthalmol 100:507–509
Henderly DE, Freeman WR, Smith RE, Causey D, Rao NA (1987a) Cytomegalovirus retinitis as the initial manifestation of the acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 103:316–320
Henderly DE, Freeman WR, Causey DM, Rao NA (1987b) Cytomegalovirus retinitis and response to therapy with ganciclovir. Ophthalmology 94:425–434
Ho DD, Pomerantz RJ, Kaplan JC (1987) Pathogenesis of infection with human immunodeficiency virus. N Engl J Med 317:278–286
Holland GN, Gottlieb MS, Yee RD, Schanker HM, Pettit TH (1982) Ocular disorders associated with a new severe acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Am J Ophthalmol 93:393–402
Kestelyn P, Lepage P, Van de Perre P (1985) Perivasculitis of the retinal vessels as an important sign in children with AIDS-related complex. Am J Ophthalmol 100:614–615
Mansour AM, Jampol LM, Logani S, Read J, Henderley D (1988) Cotton-wool spots in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome compared with diabetes mellitus, systemic hypertonia and central retinal vein occlusion. Arch Ophthalmol 106:1074–1077
Newsome DA, Green WR, Miller ED (1984) Microvascular aspects of acquired immune deficiency syndrome retinopathy. Am J Ophthalmol 98:590–601
Pepose JS, Holland GN, Nestor MS, Cochran AJ, Foos RY (1985) Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome: pathogenic mechanisms of ocular disease. Ophthalmology 92:472–484
Pomerantz RJ, Kurikkes DR, de la Monte SM, Rota TR, Baker AS, Albert D, Bor DH, Feldman EL, Schooley RT, Hirsch MS (1987) Infection of the retina by human immunodeficiency virus type I. N Engl J Med 317:1643–1647
Pomerantz RJ, Hirsch MS (1988) HIV infection of the retina. Letter to the editor. N Engl J Med 318:1539
Salahuddin SZ, Palestine AG, Heck E, Ablashi D, Luckenbach M, McCulley JP, Nussenblatt RB (1986) Isolation of the human T-cell leukemia/lymphotropic virus type III from the cornea. Am J Ophthalmol 101:149–152
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Schmitt-Gräff, A., Neuen-Jacob, E., Rettig, B. et al. Evidence for cytomegalovirus and human immunodeficiency virus infection of the retina in AIDS. Vichows Archiv A Pathol Anat 416, 249–253 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01678984
Received:
Accepted:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01678984