Abstract

BackgroundThe purpose of this study is to examine the clinical outcomes achieved by using initial high-dose intravitreal ganciclovir injections to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.MethodsTwenty-four eyes (24 patients) with cytomegalovirus retinitis received multiple intravitreal injections of ganciclovir in weekly intervals. A higher dose (6 mg) of ganciclovir was applied at the first intravitreal injection, and a lower dose was used for maintenance. Anterior aqueous humour was obtained before each injection. The best-corrected visual acuity and cytomegalovirus loads in the anterior aqueous humour were measured.ResultsThe mean cytomegalovirus DNA load in aqueous humour decreased significantly from (2.59 ± 2.28) × 105 copies/mL at baseline to (1 ± 1.76) × 104 copies/mL one month later. The aqueous cytomegalovirus DNA load was negative in 17 eyes (70.8%) one month later. No obvious improvement of best-corrected visual acuity was found during the treatment. A positive correlation was proven between initial cytomegalovirus DNA titers in aqueous humour and the total number of intravitreal injections of ganciclovir, as well as between the baseline and final best-corrected visual acuities. No severe complications developed.ConclusionsAn initial high dose of ganciclovir (6 mg) and continuous intravitreal injections of ganciclovir could significantly decrease the cytomegalovirus load in HIV-negative patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis.Trial registrationhttp://clinicaltrials.gov, NCT03598452, retrospectively registered on 24 July 2018.

Highlights

  • The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical outcomes achieved by using initial high-dose intravitreal ganciclovir injections to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

  • We proposed that a higher dose of ganciclovir in the first injection followed by lower maintenance doses would indicate a better result [10]

  • In the last four years, 26 HIV-negative patients were diagnosed with CMV retinitis (CMVR) through ophthalmological examination and positive CMV DNA in aqueous humour by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in department of ophthalmology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital

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Summary

Objectives

The purpose of this study is to examine the clinical outcomes achieved by using initial high-dose intravitreal ganciclovir injections to treat cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Methods
Results
Conclusion
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