Multifocal electroretinography in HIV-positive patients without infectious retinitis.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate early changes in the central retinal response in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients without infectious retinitis using multifocal electroretinography (mfERG).


METHODS
Case control study.


METHODS
We evaluated three cohorts: HIV-negative controls and two groups of HIV-positive patients separated according to their nadir CD4 counts (>or= 100 cells/mm(3) and < 100 cells/mm(3) for a minimum of six months). mfERG first-order kernels (FOKs) and second-order kernels (SOKs) were analyzed separately by areas of rings, quadrants, and individual hexagons for each cohort.


RESULTS
Of 103 hexagon locations of FOK results, there were no significant differences in amplitudes of P1 and N1 across the groups (.05 < P < .50), although there was a trend for an overall reduction in the amplitudes. Similarly, latency N1 did not differ (.28 < P < .95). There were significantly delayed latencies of P1 between cohorts across 103 hexagons in both kernels. SOK results also showed significant delay in latencies of P1 and a trend of reduced P1 amplitudes across studied locations among cohorts (.24 < P < .08).


CONCLUSIONS
The results demonstrate widespread delay in latency in HIV-positive patients, especially in those with prolonged low (below 100 cells/mm(3)) CD4 nadir counts. These findings suggest early diffuse dysfunction of the inner retina results from severe HIV disease even in the HAART era.
Falkenstein
Iryna A
IA
Joan and Irwin Jacobs Retina Center, Department of Ophthalmology, Shiley Eye Center, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, USA.
Bartsch
Dirk-Uwe
DU
Azen
Stanley P
SP
Dustin
Laurie
L
Sadun
Alfredo A
AA
Freeman
William R
WR
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D004596:Electroretinography / Q000379:methods*; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012160:Retina / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012164:Retinal Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012173:Retinitis / Q000821:virology; D014786:Vision Disorders / Q000503:physiopathology; D014792:Visual Acuity; D058609:Visual Field Tests; D014794:Visual Fields