Cytomegalovirus retinitis in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a rare association of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.


METHODS
Report of three patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who developed CMV retinitis.


RESULTS
The diagnosis was established by the detection of CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction analysis of aqueous and/or vitreous humour. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was reduced in two patients and normal in the third one. There was bilateral involvement in two of the three patients. There was delay of 8-10 months in diagnosis. The visual outcome was poor in four out of the five eyes involved owing to optic atrophy or total retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Increased awareness of CMV retinitis in patients who have received immunosuppression for haematological malignancies, such as CLL, could lead to earlier diagnosis and possibly better visual outcome.
Church
J
J
Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK.
Goyal
S
S
Tyagi
A K
AK
Scott
R A H
RA
Stavrou
P
P
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D017726:Cytomegalovirus Retinitis / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D015451:Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000276:immunology; D008297:Male; D009894:Opportunistic Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology