Coinfection of the retina by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in an AIDS patient.
OBJECTIVE
To report an immunohistochemically proven case of a coinfection of the retina by Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
Interventional case report.


METHODS
Postmortem evaluation of retinal tissue of a 45-year-old female AIDS patient with atypical fibrinous iridocyclitis and vitritis in course of a cytomegalovirus retinitis in the left eye was performed for evidence of dual infection with cytomegalovirus and other herpes group viruses. Immunohistochemical examination with double-staining techniques and antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus and cytomegalovirus was used.


RESULTS
In the retina of the left eye, cells reacting with antibodies against cytomegalovirus and cells stained with antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus were detected in the layer of ganglionic cells and the inner granular cell layer.


CONCLUSIONS
Epstein-Barr virus coinfection should be taken into consideration in unusual cases of necrotizing cytomegalovirus retinitis in AIDS patients.
Department of Ophthalmology, Karl-Franzens University Graz, Graz, Austria. petra.freigassner@kfunigraz.ac.at
Petra
P
Freigassner
Navid
N
Ardjomand
Herbert
H
Radner
Yosuf
Y
El-Shabrawi
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000821:virology*
D000914:Antibodies, Viral