Cytomegalovirus retinitis in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia.

PURPOSE: To describe a rare association of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Report of three patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who developed CMV retinitis.

RESULTS

The diagnosis was established by the detection of CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction analysis of aqueous and/or vitreous humour. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was reduced in two patients and normal in the third one. There was bilateral involvement in two of the three patients. There was delay of 8-10 months in diagnosis. The visual outcome was poor in four out of the five eyes involved owing to optic atrophy or total retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.

CONCLUSION

Increased awareness of CMV retinitis in patients who have received immunosuppression for haematological malignancies, such as CLL, could lead to earlier diagnosis and possibly better visual outcome.