Non-cytomegalovirus posterior segment opportunistic infections in AIDS patients

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Date

1-1-1997

Journal

Ophthalmology Clinics of North America

Volume

10

Issue

1

Abstract

Although opportunistic ocular infections are not uncommon in AIDS, non-CMV related infections are a rare occurrence. The ophthalmologist plays a key role in the management of patients with non-CMV related opportunistic infections in that the ocular manifestations may not only give aid in the diagnosis of the systemic condition but also provide a readily accessible site for monitoring ongoing treatment. Invariably, this implies that a team approach with close interaction between the ophthalmologist and other physicians in the managements of the disease is necessary. The ophthalmologist has at his or her disposal not only a variety of serologic and radiologic techniques to assist with the diagnosis but also surgical techniques such as diagnostic vitrectomy and retinal biopsy. In most instances, however, the clinical signs and symptoms and the medical history of the patient provide the greatest clues as to the underlying disease. The treatment of these non-CMV related opportunistic infections in general requires more aggressive and prolonged treatment than in the immunocompetent host. As such, these patients present one of the greatest challenges for not only ophthalmologists but for medicine as a whole.

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