Intravenous Antiviral Therapy Research Articles

Orbital Myositis after Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus: A Case Report and a Narrative Review of the Literature.

Herpes zoster ophthalmicus results from the reactivation of the latent varicella zoster virus, affecting the first branch of the trigeminal nerve. In 20-70% of cases, Zoster Ophthalmicus can lead to ocular involvement, affecting various orbital structures. Orbital myositis is a rare but severe complication of herpes zoster ophthalmicus. We present a case of a 52-year-old man with no significant medical history who developed zoster-associated right ocular myositis and dacryocystitis. He was treated with intravenous acyclovir and oral steroids. A review of the literature identified 29 patients across 19 studies. The median age was 61 years, with a slight female predominance. In 55% of cases, the patients had no notable medical history. The most common presentation of myositis involved all oculomotor muscles. There were 22 cases who were treated with intravenous antiviral therapy and 19 received steroids. A full resolution of symptoms was achieved in 51.7% of patients. Zoster-related orbital myositis is a rare complication that should be considered even in immunocompetent individuals. It may occur either before or after the appearance of a vesicular rash. Magnetic resonance imaging is the preferred radiological exam for assessing orbital involvement. Intravenous antiviral therapy should be started within 72 h of symptom onset, and its combination with systemic corticosteroids appears to be an effective treatment for zoster-related ocular myositis.

Clinical characteristics of human parvovirus B19 infection after allogeneic stem cell transplantation

Human parvovirus B19 (HPVB19) belongs to Parvoviridae, a genus of erythrovirus, and has been associated with various human diseases, and HPVB19 infection is one of the most important causes of refractory anemia after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT). This study retrospectively analyzed 24 patients with HSCT combined with HPVB19 infection to collate and summarize the clinical presentation, treatment, and regression of patients with combined HPVB19 infection after allo-HSCT and provide experience in the management of HPVB19 infection after allo-HSCT. The median age of the patients with HPVB19 infection was 25 years, and the median time of infection occurrence was +107 days after transplantation, and 22 (91.7% ) had anemia with a median hemoglobin (HGB) level of 77.5 (46-149) g/L, and 13 (54.2% ) had new-onset anemia or persistent decline in HGB. The median length of hospital stay was 19 days. Among patients with new-onset anemia or persistent decline in HGB, the mean increase in HGB after treatment with intravenous immunoglobulin and/or antiviral therapy was 15.69 g/L, and treatment was effective in 10 (76.92% ) patients. HPVB19 infection should be alerted to the development of refractory anemia after HSCT; despite the lack of specific treatment, the overall prognosis of HPVB19-infected patients is good.

Clinical features of atypical presentations of mucocutaneous herpes simplex virus infection observed in immunosuppressed individuals. Part II: the knife-cut sign.

The knife-cut sign is a distinctive manifestation of herpes simplex virus (HSV) type 1 or HSV type 2 infection that has been described in at least 10 immunocompromised patients. It appears as an extremely painful linear erosion or fissure in an intertriginous area such as the body folds beneath the breast, or within the abdomen, or in the inguinal region. Also, concurrent HSV infection at other mucocutaneous sites, or viscera, or both have been observed. The patients had medical conditions (at least 9 patients) and/or immunosuppressive drug therapy (6 patients). The diagnosis of HSV infection was confirmed by viral culture (8 patients), biopsy (4 patients), direct fluorescence antibody testing (3 patients), immunohistochemistry staining (2 patients), polymerase chain reaction (2 patients), or Western blot serologic assay (1 patient). Knife-cut sign-associated HSV infection is potentially fatal; three patients died. However, clinical improvement or complete healing occurred in the patients who received oral valacyclovir (1 patient), or intravenous acyclovir (2 patients), or intravenous acyclovir followed by foscarnet (1 patient). In summary, HSV infection associated with a positive the knife-cut sign is a potentially fatal variant of HSV infection that occurs in the intertriginous areas of immunocompromised patients and usually requires intravenous antiviral therapy.

First-line management of necrotizing herpetic retinitis by prioritizing the investigation of immune status and prognostic factors for poor visual outcomes

PurposeTo review management, treatment, and outcomes of patients with necrotizing herpetic retinitis (NHR) to propose an algorithm for first-line management of NHR.MethodsRetrospective evaluation of a series of patients with NHR at our tertiary center between 2012 and 2021 using demographic, clinical, ophthalmologic, virological, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics was performed. Patients were classified by NHR type: acute retinal necrosis (ARN), progressive outer retinal necrosis (PORN), cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.ResultsForty-one patients with NHR were included: 59% with ARN, 7% with PORN, and 34% with CMV retinitis. All patients with CMV retinitis and PORN were immunocompromised versus 21% of patients with ARN. CMV infection was found in 14 (34%) patients, varicella zoster virus infection in 14 (34%) patients, herpes simplex virus type 2 infection in 8 (20%) and type 1 infection in 5 (12%) patients. Intravenous antiviral therapy was received by 98% of patients and intravitreal antiviral injections by 90% of patients. The overall complication rate during follow-up was 83% of eyes. Most frequent complications were retinal detachment (33% eyes) and retinal break (29% eyes). Prognostic factors for poor visual outcomes were pre-existing monocular vision loss in contralateral eye among 17% of patients, bilateral NHR in 17% of patients, posterior pole involvement in 46% of eyes, and involvement > 2 retinal quadrants in 46% of eyes.ConclusionsThe visual prognosis of patients with NHR remains poor. Prompt investigation of immune status and presence of factors justifying intravitreal antiviral injections must be prioritized to initiate and adapt management while awaiting causative virus confirmation.

Acute Retinal Necrosis from Reactivation of Varicella Zoster Virus following BNT162b2 mRNA COVID-19 Vaccination

ABSTRACT Purpose To report a case of acute retinal necrosis (ARN) due to varicella zoster virus (VZV) after COVID-19 vaccine administration. Design/methods Observational case report. Result A 62-year-old immunocompetent African American male presented with left eye redness, decreased vision, and floaters after receiving a COVID-19 vaccine seven days prior. Slit-lamp examination revealed diffuse fine endothelial keratic precipitates. Funduscopic examination was notable for vitreous cells, occlusive retinal vasculitis, large retinal hemorrhages, and three quadrants of peripheral areas of retinal whitening. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction testing was positive for varicella zoster virus in the vitreous humor. Treatment with intravitreal and intravenous antiviral therapy resulted in symptomatic improvement. Conclusion COVID-19 mRNA vaccination may cause an immunomodulatory response that leads to reactivation of dormant VZV. Early recognition and treatment can improve visual outcomes.

Acute Retinal Necrosis in an Immunocompetent Patient Treated With Intravitreal Ganciclovir

Acute retinal necrosis (ARN) is an inflammatory syndrome of high clinical concern; untreated or misdiagnosed cases may progress to optic neuropathy or retinal detachment, leading to irreversible blindness. ARN affects men and women equally and is often seen in immunocompromised patients but is also known to present in immunocompetent patients. It is usually due to systemic viral infection with secondary vitreoretinal inflammation. Most commonly, the first-line management of ARN is oral or intravenous antiviral therapy. Here, we report the case of an immunocompetent patient presenting with necrotizing retinopathy secondary to ARN. This patient was treated with oral valacyclovir and then intravenous acyclovir with no improvement. However, intravitreal injection of ganciclovir successfully halted the progression of ARN and led to the preservation of vision in the patient.

Rapidly progressing granulomatous retinochoroiditis with vasculitis

A 36-year-old male suffered a traumatic open globe injury to his right eye resulting in phthisis. One year later, he developed a sudden progressive decrease in vision in the fellow (left) eye. Examination revealed arteriolar attenuation, multifocal deep subretinal infiltration, retinal edema, and necrosis. The patient underwent diagnostic vitrectomy in the left eye, and diagnostic enucleation of the phthisical right eye after suboptimal response to intravenous corticosteroid, antiviral, and antibiotic therapy. Detailed immuno-histopathological evaluation revealed extensive retinal disorganization with photoreceptor loss, perivascular infiltration, Dalen-Fuchs nodules, and granulomatous inflammation with central necrosis and melanin pigment, suggestive of a rare variant of sympathetic ophthalmia.

Clinical outcomes of children receiving ABO-incompatible versus ABO-compatible heart transplantation: a multicentre cohort study

ABO-incompatible heart transplantation increases donor availability in young children and is evolving into standard of care in children younger than 2 years. Previous smaller studies suggest similar outcomes to ABO-compatible heart transplantation, but persisting alterations of the immune system in ABO-incompatible recipients might increase the risk of some infections or benefit the graft owing to reduced HLA reactivity. We aimed to assess long-term outcomes in young children after they received ABO-incompatible or ABO-compatible heart transplantation. In this multicentre, prospective cohort study, we analysed data from the Pediatric Heart Transplant Society registry to compare children who received ABO-incompatible or ABO-compatible heart transplantation before age 2 years between Jan 1, 1999, and June 30, 2018. Given significantly different clinical demographics between the two groups, we also matched each ABO-incompatible recipient to two ABO-compatible recipients using propensity score matching. We assessed patient and graft survival, coronary allograft vasculopathy, malignancy, acute rejection (any episode resulting in augmentation of immunosuppression), and infections (requiring intravenous antibiotic or antiviral therapy or life-threatening infections treated with oral therapy). We included 2206 children who received a heart transplant before age 2 years, with 11 332·6 patient-years of cumulative observation time. Children who received an ABO-incompatible transplant (n=364) were younger and a larger proportion had congenital heart disease and ventilator and mechanical circulatory support than the ABO-compatible recipients (n=1842). After matching, only differences in blood group (more O in ABO-incompatible and more AB in ABO-compatible groups) and use of polyclonal induction therapy with anti-thymocyte globulins persisted. The two matched groups had similar post-transplantation graft survival (p=0·74), freedom from coronary allograft vasculopathy (p=0·75), and malignancy (p=0·51). ABO-incompatible recipients showed longer freedom from rejection (p=0·0021) in the overall cohort, but not after matching (p=0·48). Severe infections (p=0·0007), bacterial infections (p=0·0005), and infections with polysaccharide encapsulated bacteria (p=0·0005) that share immunological properties with blood group antigens occurred less frequently after ABO-incompatible heart transplantation. ABO-incompatible heart transplantation for children younger than 2 years is a clinically safe approach, with similar survival and incidences of rejection, coronary allograft vasculopathy, and malignancy to ABO-compatible recipients, despite higher-risk pre-transplant profiles. ABO-incompatible transplantation was associated with less bacterial infection, particularly encapsulated bacteria, suggesting that the acquired immunological changes accompanying ABO tolerance might benefit rather than jeopardise transplanted children. Pediatric Heart Transplant Society.

Acute urinary retention and progressive paraplegia with genital infection: A case report of transverse myelitis

Introduction: Transverse myelitis (TM) is a rare inflammatory disorder involving single or multiple spinal segments. There are various Infectious and parainfectious causes. Case presentation: We report the case of 29-year-old female who presented to an emergency department with acute urinary retention, progressive headache and sensory and motor deficits with a genital infection. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis revealed WBC 75/μL, protein 96 (15-40 mg/dL), and VZV IgG positive. The magnetic resonance image (MRI) of the spine revealed acute transverse myelitis of C4, C6/C7 and T2-T3, T4-T7. She was treated with steroid pulse therapy, intravenous antiviral therapy, antibiotics, and rehabilitation. Urinary symptoms resolved in six days and her motor deficit resolved. She had mild numbness in the thigh area 2 months later. Discussion: Identification of the causes and diagnosis of TM are challenging because there are variable clinical signs and numerous potential pathogens. Conclusion: It is essential to diagnosis TM in the early and timely phase, careful, detailed history and thorough physical examination by emergency physicians.

Oxygen-ozone therapy in meningoencephalitis and chronic fatigue syndrome. Treatment in the field of competitive sports: case report

Our study was born from the observation of a clinical case of a boy who arrived in the Emergency Room of our hospital for persistent hyperpyrexia, headache and prolonged emetic episodes and complaining of objective photophobia and dizziness. The patient underwent haematochemical tests, chemical-physical examination of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (CFS), negative for bacteria, negative for Neisseria Meningitidis, Escherichia Coli 121, Haemophilus Influenzae, Stafilococcus Pneumoniae, Stafilococcus Agalactiae and with slightly positive reaction to Pandy’s test; he was subjected to neurological examination, to Nuclear Magnetic Resonance of the brain and encephalic trunk with contrast agent which resulted negative, and to EEG that showed a slightly slowed-down brain electrical activity, in right occipital region, and frontal irritative abnormalities. Given these clinical and instrumental investigations, an acute meningoencephalitis was diagnosed. During his hospitalization, the patient was treated with intravenous antibiotic therapy and intravenous antiviral therapy for 12 days. At discharge, in the absence of specific therapy, and considering the protraction of the cephalic, dizzying, asthenic and myalgic symptoms and in relation to hematochemical and serological tests (positive for antibodies to Herpes 1 IgG), Epstein Barr Virus antibodies (positive for Viral Capsid Antigen IgG and IgGE BNA, for Extractable Nuclear Antigen and IgG Cytomegalovirus) he was diagnosed a Post-infectious CFS. The patient was treated with Oxygen Ozone Rectal Insufflative Therapy on a bi-weekly basis for 4 weeks, associated with Micetrin, a dietary supplement with sweetener based on Vitamin C, Shitake, Reishi, Maitake, Cordyceps, Magnesium and SOD, continued the treatment on a weekly basis for a further 4 weeks until the complete remission of the symptoms of asthenic, neurological and clinical parameters.

Disseminated herpes zoster involving bladder and severe inappropriate antidiuretic hormone in a immunocompetent elderly patient - A case report -

Disseminated herpes zoster commonly occurs in patients with decreased immunity, but rarely in patients without any evidence of immunosuppression. We reported a case of disseminated herpes zoster with visceral organ involvement in a non-immunocompromised patient. An 83-year-old man visited our pain center, with chief complaints of painful rashes on the L3-L4 and S2-S4 due to acute herpes zoster. Even though intravenous antiviral therapy was initiated immediately upon hospitalization, his lesion deteriorated and systemic cluster formed. Urinary retention and hyponatremia occurred, and he was diagnosed with zoster cystitis and severe inappropriate antidiuretic hormone syndrome. Conservative treatment, including Foley catheter insertion and correction of hyponatremia with antiviral therapy, was initiated, and he was discharged without any complications at the 33rd day of hospitalization. Old age can be a risk factor of disseminated herpes zoster, and visceral organ involvement should also be considered. Keywords: Cystitis; Herpes zoster; Hyponatremia; Immunocompetence; Inappropriate ADH Syndrome; Urinary retention

Haemorrhagic conversion of infectious myelitis in an immunocompromised patient

A 28-year-old man recently diagnosed with HIV (CD4 19 cells/mm3, viral load 3.6 million copies/mL, not on highly active antiretroviral therapy on initial diagnosis at outside hospital), disseminated histoplasmosis, shingles...

Simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant recipients are predisposed to tissue-invasive cytomegalovirus disease and concomitant infectious complications.

Infections have increased in simultaneous pancreas/kidney transplant recipients (SPKTRs) with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection being the most important viral infection with adverse impact on patient and allograft outcomes. We studied all primary SPKTRs and deceased-donor kidney transplant recipients (KTRs) between 2008 and 2015 for the development of CMV infection. A total of 21/62 SPKTRs (33.9%) and 90/335 KTRs (26.9%) were diagnosed with CMV infection. A control group of 41 SPKTRs without CMV infection was used for comparison. SPKTRs showed an increased incidence of CMV infection compared with KTRs. SPKTRs were more likely to develop CMV disease, CMV pneumonia, recurrent CMV infection, higher initial and peak CMV loads, and more need for intravenous antiviral therapy compared with KTRs (P<.05). High-risk CMV serostatus (D+R-) and 2 HLA-B/-DR mismatches increased the risk of CMV infection in SPKTRs (P<.05). No differences were observed for patient and allograft outcomes (P>.05). SPKTRs with CMV infection were more likely to show concomitant Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viremia compared with SPKTRs without CMV infection (P<.05). SPKTRs with CMV infection showed higher incidences of concomitant BK polyomavirus-associated nephropathy, EBV viremia, and sepsis compared with KTRs with CMV infection (P<.05). Our results suggest a higher incidence and more severe course of CMV infection in SPKTRs compared with KTRs. The increased incidence of concomitant infectious complications among SPKTRs with CMV infection suggests an overall impaired immunity, and calls for more intense screening.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Acute Retinal Necrosis: A Report by the American Academy of Ophthalmology

To evaluate the available evidence in peer-reviewed publications about the diagnosis and treatment of acute retinal necrosis (ARN). Literature searches of the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were last conducted on July 27, 2016. The searches identified 216 unique citations, and 49 articles of possible clinical relevance were reviewed in full text. Of these 49 articles, 27 were deemed sufficiently relevant or of interest, and they were rated according to strength of evidence. An additional 6 articles were identified from the reference lists of these articles and included. All 33 studies were retrospective. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing of aqueous or vitreous humor was positive for herpes simplex virus (HSV) or varicella zoster virus (VZV) in 79% to 100% of cases of suspected ARN. Aqueous and vitreous specimens are both sensitive and specific. There is level II and III evidence supporting the use of intravenous and oral antiviral therapy for the treatment of ARN. Data suggest that equivalent plasma drug levels of acyclovir can be achieved after administration of oral valacyclovir or intravenous acyclovir. There is level II and III evidence suggesting that the combination of intravitreal foscarnet and systemic antiviral therapy may have greater therapeutic efficacy than systemic therapy alone. The effectiveness of prophylactic laser or early pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in preventing retinal detachment (RD) remains unclear. Polymerase chain reaction testing of ocular fluid is useful in supporting a clinical diagnosis ofARN, but treatment should not be delayed while awaiting PCR results. Initial oral or intravenous antiviral therapy is effective in treating ARN. The adjunctive use of intravitreal foscarnet may be more effective than systemic therapy alone. The role of prophylactic laser retinopexy or early PPV is unknown at this time.

Definition and management of varicella zoster virus-associated meningoradiculitis: a case report.

BackgroundThe varicella zoster virus affects the central or peripheral nervous systems upon reactivation, especially when cell-mediated immunity is impaired. Among varicella zoster virus-related neurological syndromes, meningoradiculitis is an ill-defined condition for which clear management guidelines are still lacking. Zoster paresis is usually considered to be a varicella zoster virus-peripheral nervous system complication and treated with oral antiviral therapy. Yet in the literature, the few reported cases of herpes zoster with mild cerebral spinal fluid inflammation were all considered meningoradiculitis and treated using intravenous antiviral drugs, despite absence of systemic signs of meningitis. Nevertheless, these two clinical pictures are very similar.Case presentationWe report the case of an alcohol-dependent elderly Caucasian man presenting with left lower limb zoster paresis and mild cerebral spinal fluid inflammation, with favorable outcome upon IV antiviral treatment. We discuss interpretation of liquor inflammation in the absence of clinical meningitis and implications for the antiviral treatment route.ConclusionFrom this case report we suggest that varicella zoster virus-associated meningoradiculitis should necessarily include meningitis symptoms with the peripheral neurological deficits and cerebral spinal fluid inflammation, requiring intravenous antiviral treatment. In the absence of (cell-mediated) immunosuppression, isolated zoster paresis does not necessitate spinal tap or intravenous antiviral therapy.

Cytomegalovirus diseases after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation: A mini-review

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection remains a significant complication after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) and may have a deleterious impact on the overall outcome after transplantation. In addition to the direct effects of CMV infection, tissue-invasive CMV diseases may be associated with increased risk of graft versus host disease, myelosuppression, and invasive bacterial and fungal infections. Because of these direct and indirect adverse effects, prevention of CMV infection, mostly through pre-emptive therapy, is one of the essential strategies that may improve outcomes of HSCT recipients. Management of CMV infection relies mainly on intravenous (IV) antiviral therapy with ganciclovir and foscarnet, with or without IV polyclonal immunoglobulins. Although viral resistance remains rare, better tolerated antiviral agents with less serious side effects are needed, and a few will be evaluated in phase III clinical trials in the near future.

Herpes and Zoster infections update

AbstractHerpes Simplex Virus (HSV) and Varicella‐zoster Virus (VZV) are the two leading causes of infectious acquired amblyopia. After a phase a latent infection in the trigeminal ganglia, they may reactivate to eventually infect the cornea. There are several common features of keratitis due to HSV or VZV. The most frequent forms involve the epithelium, with 4 different patterns: punctuate and diffuse, dendritic, geographic, and marginal. Stromal forms of keratitis are mostly non‐necrotic, and usually resolve with a combination of oral antivirals and topical steroids. In contrast, a necrotic stromal keratitis usually requires intravenous antiviral therapy. Endothelial forms of HSV/VZV keratitis are far less frequent. Three different types may be observed: disciform, diffuse or linear, the latter one being the most aggressive. After the acute phase of HSV/VZV keratitis, preventive treatment with oral antivirals may be given according to the clinical history. For VZV, a vaccine is now available. Its effectiveness has been shown for the prevention of herpes zoster ophthalmicus, but its place in patients with recurrent VZV infections of the eye remains to be clarified.

Ramsay Hunt Syndrome in 2 Patients With Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome

Varicella zoster virus (VZV) is a herpes virus that can infect humans. After primary infection, it can reactivate with advancing age in immunocompetent hosts, causing the disease herpes zoster. It can occur earlier in life owing to decreased specific VZV humoral or cell-mediated immunity as seen in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Patients infected with HIV are at risk for severe illness either from primary VZV infection or reactivation. Herpes zoster may occur at any stage of HIV infection, and it is clinically recognizable by the presence of vesicles in a single dermatome, multiple contiguous dermatomes, or disseminated outside dermatomal pattern. Reactivation of VZV in the geniculate ganglion and seventh cranial nerve leads to Ramsay Hunt syndrome (RHS), which has been described in patients with HIV infection. We report 2 cases of VZV-associated RHS in HIV-infected patients. One patient had controlled HIV infection on antiretrovirals with undetectable HIV viral load, and the other patient had history of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, very low CD4+ T-cell count, and prior use of steroids. Both developed seventh cranial nerve palsy and were treated with intravenous antiviral therapy and systemic steroids. Both patients have persistent facial asymmetry long after treatment for RHS. Our aim was to increase awareness of this rare syndrome in health care providers who care for individuals with HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Varicella Zoster Virus Ischemic Optic Neuropathy and Subclinical Temporal Artery Involvement

To demonstrate varicella zoster virus (VZV) infection in an asymptomatic extracranial (temporal) artery in a patient with ischemic optic neuropathy produced by VZV vasculopathy in whom the pathological changes were mistakenly identified as giant cell arteritis. Case report. Teaching hospital, pathology and virology laboratory. An 80-year-old man with left ophthalmic distribution zoster who developed left ischemic optic neuropathy. An ipsilateral temporal artery biopsy revealed inflammation that was mistakenly identified as giant cell arteritis. The patient was initially treated with steroids but his condition did not improve. When the diagnosis of VZV vasculopathy was confirmed virologically and the patient was treated with intravenous acyclovir, his vision improved. Pathological and virological studies provided proof of VZV vasculopathy in the asymptomatic temporal artery. Varicella zoster virus antigen was abundant in arterial adventitia and scattered throughout the media. With intravenous antiviral therapy, the patient's vision improved. Although in previously studied patients who died of chronic VZV vasculopathy after 10 to 12 months, VZV antigen was present exclusively in the intima, collective analyses of chronic cases and the asymptomatic VZV-infected temporal artery suggest that virus enters arteries through the adventitia and spreads transmurally to the intima.

Prophylactic vitrectomy for acute retinal necrosis

To evaluate the efficacy of prophylactic vitrectomy for acute retinal necrosis. The clinical charts of 17 patients (18 eyes) with acute retinal necrosis and no retinal break or rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) were retrospectively analyzed for the efficacy of prophylactic vitrectomy. The retinal necrotic lesions at the initial presentation were classified into three groups according to the lesion site as described by Holland: zone 1 (posterior pole; n = 3), zone 2 (midperiphery; n = 12), and zone 3 (periphery; n = 3). All patients were treated with intravenous antiviral therapy. Three zone 1 eyes and eight zone 2 eyes underwent prophylactic vitrectomy. Four zone 2 eyes and three zone 3 eyes did not receive prophylactic vitrectomy. All zone 1 eyes developed RRD despite prophylactic vitrectomy. Among the 12 zone 2 eyes, eight of the eyes that underwent prophylactic vitrectomy did not develop RRD, whereas three of the four zone 2 eyes without prophylactic vitrectomy developed RRD. All zone 3 eyes were cured with only antiviral medication. Prophylactic vitrectomy is effective in preventing the development of RRD in eyes where necrotic lesions do not extend beyond the midperiphery (zone 2).