Clinical Features and Diagnosis of Anterior Segment Inflammation Related to Cytomegalovirus in Immunocompetent African, Asian, and Caucasian Patients

ABSTRACT

Objective: To report the clinical features and treatment outcomes in immunocompetent patients with anterior segment inflammation (ASI) related to human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) depending on their ethnic origin.

Material and Methods: Multicenter retrospective study of 38 patients with at least one test, either HCMV-positive PCR or GWc.

Results: Features of Posner-Schlossman syndrome were observed in 50% of the eyes, Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis in 13% of the eyes, chronic nonspecific anterior uveitis in 21% of the eyes, and corneal endotheliitis in 18% of the eyes. PCR and GWc were positive for HCMV in 50% and 96.2% of the eyes, respectively. Glaucoma was diagnosed in 50% of eyes. Treatment was oral valganciclovir in about half of the patients. Other treatments were intravenous ganciclovir and/or ganciclovir topical ointment and/or intravitreal ganciclovir.

Conclusions: No obvious association of specific clinical features with individual ethnicity could be identified. We found a high rate of glaucoma in all ethnic groups. There was a delay in diagnosis and specific treatment of HCMV in most patients.

Keywords:

• HCMV
• uveitis
• endotheliitis
• Posner-Schlossman syndrome
• Fuchs heterochromic iridocyclitis
• polymerase chain reaction
• Goldmann-Witmer coefficient

Acknowledgements

Ms. Linda Northrup for the translation.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.