Intraocular HIV-1-specific IgG synthesis in a patient with CMV retinitis.
A sight-threatening cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is often associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). We report the detection and quantitation of antibodies specific for CMV and human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) in the vitreous fluid and serum of an AIDS patient suffering from bilateral CMV retinitis. The ratio of the concentrations of HIV-1-specific immunoglobulin G (IgG) to total IgG in the vitreous fluid was found to be higher than that of the peripheral blood, indicating a local production of HIV-1-specific IgG synthesis within the ocular compartment. In contrast, CMV-specific IgG levels in serum were found to be higher than that of vitreous fluid, indicating an intact blood-ocular barrier. CMV and HIV were also isolated from the ocular tissues of this patient. These findings are consistent with the hypothesis that CMV retinitis may be associated with HIV-1 infection of the ocular tissues, which evokes an HIV-1-specific humoral immune response locally within the ocular compartment.
Dix
R D
RD
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Miami School of Medicine, FL 33101.
Resnick
L
L
Culbertson
W
W
Dickinson
G
G
Fisher
E
E
Saenz
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology*; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007074:Immunoglobulin G / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D008297:Male; D012173:Retinitis / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000276:immunology*
D015483:HIV Antibodies; D007074:Immunoglobulin G; D015774:Ganciclovir