Progressive outer retinal necrosis secondary to varicella zoster virus in acquired immune deficiency syndrome.
BACKGROUND
A syndrome consisting of rapidly progressive outer retinitis in patients with suppressed immune systems has been described. The etiologic agent appears to be a member of the herpes virus family.


METHODS
A 41-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) developed bilateral outer retinitis and choroiditis, which progressed despite antiviral treatment. A transscleral eye wall biopsy specimen and whole globe were submitted for microbiologic and histologic study.


RESULTS
Polymerase chain reaction of a transscleral eye wall biopsy specimen and of the enucleated specimen determined the etiologic agent to be varicella zoster virus (VZV). Histologic studies demonstrated intranuclear inclusions consistent with viral particles in choroidal cells.


CONCLUSIONS
Our study revealed intranuclear inclusions in choroidal cells, a previously undocumented finding in progressive outer retinal necrosis. Polymerase chain reaction was very useful in identifying the causative agent.
Greven
C M
CM
Department of Ophthalmology, Wake Forest University Eye Center, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA.
Ford
J
J
Stanton
C
C
Shogreen
M
M
Feldman
S
S
Pegram
S
S
Slusher
M M
MM
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications*; D000328:Adult; D002829:Choroid / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D002833:Choroiditis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004587:Electrophoresis, Agar Gel; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009336:Necrosis; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D012173:Retinitis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology
D004279:DNA, Viral