title: HIV-1 and HHV-6 antigens and transcripts in retinas of patients with AIDS in the absence of human cytomegalovirus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to define the agents involved in the development of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-associated retinitis. To achieve this goal, the authors determined the frequency and proximity of the simultaneous presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1, human herpesvirus (HHV)-6, and human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) in retinas of patients with AIDS with and without AIDS-associated retinitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retinal sections from 50 globes from patients with AIDS were analyzed for the presence of viral antigens and transcripts. Group 1 contained 13 globes from patients with HCMV infection. Group 2 contained 20 globes from patients with retinal lesions of uncertain etiology in which HCMV antigen and transcripts were not detected. Group 3 contained 17 globes from patients with no retinal lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Retinal sections from all 13 globes (group 1) were positive for HCMV antigens and HIV-1 antigens and transcripts. Six of the 13 retinas were also positive for HHV-6 antigens and transcripts. Sections from 13 of the 20 globes (group 2) were positive for HIV-1 antigens and transcripts, and 5 of these 13 were also positive for HHV-6 antigens and transcripts. Multiple areas in sections from two of the HIV-1-positive retinas showed coinfection with HHV-6. All 17 globes (group 3) were positive for HIV-1 antigens and transcripts. Ten of these 17 retinas were also positive for HHV-6 antigens. Human cytomegalovirus antigens were not detectable in retinas from groups 2 and 3. No viral antigens or transcripts were detectable in retinal sections from 10 HIV-1 negative donors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The coexistence of HIV-1 and HHV-6 activity in more than 50% of retinas without HCMV infection suggests that HIV-1 and HHV-6 alone or in combination may predispose retinal tissue to other opportunistic agents such as HCMV during the development of AIDS-associated retinitis.
authors.affiliation: Division of Molecular Virology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas 77030, USA.
authors.forename: H B
authors.initials: HB
authors.lastname: Qavi
authors.forename: M T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Green
authors.forename: D E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.forename: F B
authors.initials: FB
authors.lastname: Hollinger
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Pearson
authors.forename: D V
authors.initials: DV
authors.lastname: Ablashi
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001345:Autoradiography; D002460:Cell Line; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D015488:HIV Antigens / Q000032:analysis*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006566:Herpesviridae Infections / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D015654:Herpesvirus 6, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D015347:RNA Probes; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D012173:Retinitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015488:HIV Antigens; D015347:RNA Probes