Ophthalmoscopic and histologic findings in cytomegalovirus retinitis treated with BW-B759U
D. J. D'Amico, J. H. Talamo, D. Felsenstein, M. S. Hirsch, D. M. Albert and R. T. Schooley
Recent reports have suggested a role for BW-B759U in the treatment of
cytomegalovirus retinitis. The present study presents the ophthalmoscopic
features in three treated patients, and examines the microscopic findings
in the eyes of the first patient ever treated with BW-B759U for
cytomegalovirus retinitis. Ophthalmoscopic findings of improvement on drug
therapy included remission of perivascular infiltration, stabilization of
the extent of the retinal area involved, and development of a pigmented
chorioretinal scar in the involved area. Relapses occurred with cessation
of therapy, and repeated courses of therapy were required. One patient
developed a rhegmatogenous detachment with retinal breaks in an atrophic
area of treated retinitis. Electron microscopic examination of the eyes of
one patient disclosed the persistence of cytomegalovirus inclusions in
retinal cells despite previous drug therapy. These findings suggest a
virostatic action for BW-B759U.
