title: Intravitreal foscarnet for cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS.
abstract: To determine the visual outcome, progression, and complications of patients with acquired immuno-deficiency syndrome-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis treated with intravitrealfoscarnet (2.4 mg in 0.1 ml per injection), a retrospective study was carried out in 193 patients. Induction therapy consisted of two injections a week until the lesions were inactive. Maintenance therapy consisted of one injection a week until relapse, then re-induction was instituted. In 301 treated eyes, visual acuity remained stable in 184 (61%), improved in 16 (5%), and decreased in 101 (34%). Of these, 15 retinal detachments, 13 intravitreal hemorrhages, 3 endophthalmitis, and 2 cataract occurred. Median time of first progression was 15 weeks. Involvement of the fellow eye occurred in 35% of the patients during treatment of the first eye. Intravitreal foscarnet appeared to be a useful alternative treatment for patients intolerant or unaffordable to intravenous anti-CMV drugs, but the complications of this treatment should also be considered.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai 50200, Thailand. sausayak@med.cmu.ac.th
authors.forename: Somsanguan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ausayakhun
authors.forename: Sopa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Watananikorn
authors.forename: Suphop
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ngamtiphakorn
authors.forename: Jeradech
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Prasitsilp
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D017245:Foscarnet / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014822:Vitreous Body
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D017245:Foscarnet