[Intravitreal injection of ganciclovir in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis].
The therapeutic effects and safety of intravitreal ganciclovir injection were evaluated in 16 acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients with cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis. The induction therapy was done in a total of 23 courses, i.e., in 14 eyes of 10 patients. Active lesions of CMV retinitis were suppressed by 3 to 7 injections over 21 to 42 days after the initiation of the induction therapy. Intravitreal injections once a week for maintenance suppressed the reactivation of the lesions for at least 6 weeks in 9 eyes of 7 patients among 10 eyes of 8 patients. As for the safety of intravitreal ganciclovir injections in the 16 AIDS patients with CMV retinitis, a total of 354 injections were given and two serious complications, that is, endophthalmitis and retinal detachment were observed in one eye each. During the course of intravitreal injection, 3 of 7 patients developed CMV retinitis in the contralateral eye and systemic CMV infections were suspected in 3 of 12 patients. Intravitreal injection of ganciclovir is thought to be effective for the treatment of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients, but careful procedure and examinations are needed.
Fujino
Y
Y
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Tokyo School of Medicine, Japan.
Nagata
Y
Y
Miyoshi
M
M
Ono
A
A
Oka
S
S
Iwamoto
A
A
Kimura
S
S
Mochizuki
M
M
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009877:Endophthalmitis / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015774:Ganciclovir / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000209:etiology; D014822:Vitreous Body
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D015774:Ganciclovir