CMV-Related Anterior Uveitis in a Mediterranean European Population: Clinical Features, Prognosis, and Long-Term Treatment Outcomes

ABSTRACT

Purpose

To describe the spectrum of clinical features of cytomegalovirus-related anterior uveitis (CMV-AU) along with potential comorbidities, to calculate complication rates, and to determine risk factors and biomarkers affecting prognosis in a cohort of a Southern European Mediterranean population.

Materials and methods

It is a retrospective, multicenter case series of consecutive patients with persisting hypertensive AU, unresponsive to topical steroids therapy, and CMV-positive essays from two uveitis referral centers were collected and analyzed.

Results

Fifty-seven eyes of 53 patients with polymerase chain reaction-verified CMV-AU over a period of 8 years were included with a mean age of 48 ± 18. Four presentation patterns were identified: 26.3% as Posner–Schlossman-like, 31.6% as chronic AU, 19.3% as presumed herpetic uveitis, 12.3% as Fuchs uveitis syndrome-like, and 10.5% without specific initial classification. About 15.8% received oral valganciclovir, 22.8% received topical valganciclovir, and 61.4% received both, for a mean duration of treatment of 44 months. AU recurrences were observed in 23 eyes with a mean of 1.5 (±1.5) recurrences per year. The only finding significantly associated with recurrence was the presence of posterior synechiae (PS) (p = 0.034). Fewer keratic precipitates (KPs) were indicative for the need of longer treatment, and endotheliitis was strongly associated with the need for filtration surgery.

Conclusion

In this immunocompetent southern European population, four distinct clinical presentation patterns were further confirmed, and possible biomarkers such as PS, KPs, and endotheliitis were newly reported to influence treatment outcomes. Large-scale studies could provide a more effective customized treatment protocol.

KEYWORDS:

• CMV
• cytomegalovirus anterior uveitis
• Fuchs uveitis syndrome
• Posner–Schlossman

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.