Case Report: Cytomegalovirus Choroideoretinitis in an hiV positive patient

Abstract

BACKGROUND: CMV retinitis is a viral opportunistic ocular infection that affects more frequent-ly HIV positive- AIDS patients. HIV virus infects cells that express CD4, like: lymphocytes, monocytes, macrophages, dendritic cells; as a consequence the patient gets immunosuppressed, increasing its susceptibility to opportunist infections. CMV retinitis is the most frequent cause of opportunist infections in AIDS patients; but only 8% of the patients present with CMV retinitis a an initial sign. CASE REPORT: 26 year old male patient, being evaluated for fever of unknown origin, was diagnosed of HIV infection. Complementary tests showed CMV positive PCR test. At the oph-thalmological examination a perimacular exudate was evident on the right eye, the patient was asymptomatic at the moment of the diagnosis. EVOlUTION: After being diagnosed of HIV infection and CMV retinitis, patient started taking HAART and Valganciclovir. The ourtcome was good, perimacular exudate disappeared in pos-terior follow up. CONClUSIONS: CMV retinitis is frequent in HIV-AIDS patients. Sometimes the patients are asymptomatic, or missing diagnosis of HIV, therefore it is important to standarize early detection and treatment measures, to improve life quality for this patients. KEYWORDS: RETINITIS, CYTOMEGALOVIRUS, HIV, AIDS