Retinal findings in Chinese patients with HIV infection.
BACKGROUND
The aim was to determine the prevalence of retinal lesions in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in China.


METHODS
The study included 105 consecutive patients with an HIV infection that underwent general and ophthalmologic examinations. In none of the patients was any systemic opportunistic infection found. The CD4+ T lymphocyte count determined in 89 patients revealed that 77 patients (87%) had a CD4+ lymphocyte count of >200 x 10(6)/l.


RESULTS
Retinal microvascular abnormalities were found in 12 subjects (11%) and local retinal nerve fiber layer defects in 13 patients (12%). Patients with fundus abnormalities compared to those with a normal fundus had a significantly (p = 0.013) lower CD4+ T cell count (166 +/- 67) x 10(6)/l vs. 482 +/- 33 x 10(6)/l) and did not vary significantly in visual acuity.


CONCLUSIONS
In these HIV-positive Chinese patients attending a hospital for infectious diseases, retinal microvasculopathy and retinal nerve fiber layer defects were the most common fundus lesions, which were found in about 10% of the patients and which were inversely associated with the CD4+ T cell count, without marked effect on visual acuity.
Wang
Jian
J
Beijing Institute of Ophthalmology, Beijing Tongren Eye Center, Beijing Tongren Hospital, Beijing, China.
You
Qisheng
Q
Yang
Hua
H
Li
Haiying
H
Wu
Hao
H
Xu
Liang
L
Jonas
Jost B
JB
D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005654:Fundus Oculi; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009412:Nerve Fibers / Q000473:pathology; D015995:Prevalence; D012160:Retina / Q000473:pathology; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000821:virology*; D012171:Retinal Vessels / Q000473:pathology; D014792:Visual Acuity