Open AccessIntravitreal sustained‐release ganciclovir implants for severe bilateral cytomegalovirus retinitis after stem cell transplantation
Author(s) -
Ghosh Fredrik,
Hansson LarsJörgen,
Bynke Gunnel,
Békássy Albert N.
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
acta ophthalmologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1600-0420
pISSN - 1395-3907
DOI - 10.1034/j.1600-0420.2002.800121.x
Subject(s) - ganciclovir , medicine , retinitis , cytomegalovirus retinitis , cytomegalovirus , transplantation , surgery , visual acuity , stem cell , ophthalmology , human cytomegalovirus , immunology , herpesviridae , virus , viral disease , genetics , biology
. Purpose: To describe the treatment of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis with intravitreal sustain‐release ganciclovir devices in a 16‐year‐old patient in third remission of acute lymphoblastic leukemia after stem cell transplantation. Methods: The patient received a stem cell transplant from an unrelated bone marrow donor after which he contracted a serious CMV infection manifested in the lungs and retinae. His immune system at this time was almost completely depleted. Implantation of a sustained‐release ganciclovir device was performed in both eyes when retinitis progressed in spite of aggressive antiviral intravenous treatment. Results: No per‐ or postoperative complications were noted. Infiltrates, hemorrhages and macular edema present preoperatively dissolved over a period of six months. The final visual acuity was 1.0 in both eyes. The patients immune system and lung function slowly recovered during the same time period. Conclusions: The intravitreal ganciclovir implant provides safe and effective therapy against CMV retinitis, and should be considered in patients acquiring the infection after stem cell transplantation.