Abstract
Objective. There are few data from before the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era for cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) from settings where cost limits use of systemic treatment. This study examines CMV-R treatment and survival outcomes in a public hospital ophthalmology service in Ga-Rankuwa, South Africa.
 
 Methods. From October 2009 to October 2010, voluntarily consenting participants over the age of 15 years with incident clinically diagnosed CMV-R seen at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital ophthalmology clinic were prospectively enrolled in an observational study. Treatment was per clinic protocols and patients were followed up with structured data collection for up to 6 months.
 
 Results. Eight individuals, all HIV infected and 50% female, were identified and enrolled. At enrolment, median age was 38 years (interquartile range (IQR) 32 - 39 years), median CD4 count 20 cells/μl (IQR 13 - 46.5 cells/μl), and 50% were currently receiving ART (mean duration of ART use 18 days, standard deviation (SD) 2.99 days). No participant received systemic ganciclovir, but 6 reported symptom combinations suggesting systemic CMV: shortness of breath (n=3), diarrhoea (n=3) and/or central nervous system complaints (n=3). Ten eyes had visual impairment less than counting fingers at enrolment. Treatment combinations were: ART plus intravitreal ganciclovir (n=5), intravitreal ganciclovir alone (n=2), and ART alone (n=1). Six-month outcomes were: death (n=1), survival (n=6), loss to follow-up (n=3), untraceable (n=1), systemic symptom resolution (4/4), visual acuity deterioration (0/5), and persisting uveitis (2/3).
 
 Conclusion. In the ART era, incident CMV-R appears to be uncommon in this setting. CMV-R may occur within the first 3 weeks after ART initiation. Even in CMV-R patients with suggestive systemic symptoms, 6-month survival is good despite no systemic CMV therapy.
 
 S Afr J HIV Med 2012;13(2):68-71.
Highlights
From October 2009 to October 2010, voluntarily consenting participants over the age of 15 years with incident clinically diagnosed cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMV-R) seen at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital ophthalmology clinic were prospectively enrolled in an observational study
In the antiretroviral therapy (ART) era, incident CMV-R appears to be uncommon in this setting
Even in CMV-R patients with suggestive systemic symptoms, 6-month survival is good despite no systemic CMV therapy
Summary
From October 2009 to October 2010, voluntarily consenting participants over the age of 15 years with incident clinically diagnosed CMV-R seen at the Dr George Mukhari Hospital ophthalmology clinic were prospectively enrolled in an observational study. A prospective longitudinal observational study was conducted at the ophthalmology outpatient clinic of the Dr George Mukhari Hospital, a state tertiary academic service situated in Ga-Rankuwa, Gauteng province, South Africa. In 2007, the antenatal HIV seroprevalence in Tshwane was 27% and in Metsweding it was 33%.10. In this setting, ophthalmology referrals are made by healthcare workers in the hospital and HIV clinic or in secondary and primary level facilities. In 2011, the HIV clinic saw 7 853 patients of whom 193 initiated ART during that year
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