Uveitis Among Children Living with HIV / AIDS in Kinshasa, RD Congo: A Case Series

Abstract

Purpose: To report the clinical features of a series of children living with HIV / AIDS (CLWHA) with uveitis. Methods: This was a case series of CLWHA and who had a diagnosis of uveitis examined from November 2010 to April 2011 in five sanitary structures in Kinshasa. For each child, anamnestic elements were collected. Each child underwent an ophthalmological examination including visual acuity measurement, slit lamp examination and fundus examination after dilation. Results: 15 CLWAH presented with uveitis out of a series of 100 CLWHA examined. Fourteen of the children with uveitis were already on treatment and had normal immune status, the only child who had not yet started treatment had a severe immune deficiency. Retinal vasculitis was the most common disorder in 8 children. It was asymptomatic and mainly concerned the veins on the peripheral retina. Four children presented with chorioretinal scars of unknown etiology. HIV-related microangiopathy was found in 2 children. Unilateral anterior uveitis was the only symptomatic involvement, found in the child who were not on treatment. Conclusion: Uveitis is common in African CLWHA. Retinal vasculitis of unknown etiology appears to be the most common clinical manifestation in this population. Antiretroviral therapy seems to decrease the frequency of sight-threatening conditions.