Cytomegalovirus retinitis and immune recovery uveitis in AIDS patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy in Taiwanese.

PURPOSE: To determine the characteristics of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis and immune recovery uveitis (IRU) in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

METHODS: We reviewed data from 47 of 79 consecutive patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and CMV retinitis.

RESULTS: The incidence of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients has markedly decreased over the recent 10 years. The characteristics of CMV retinitis have changed. Development of IRU occurred in 24.4%.

CONCLUSIONS: Symptomatic IRU develops in a significant number of patients with inactive CMV retinitis following successful HAART. Eyes with IRU respond favorably to antiinflammatory therapy without reactivation of retinitis.