DIAGNOSIS OF HUMAN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS-INDUCED RETINITIS IN HUMAN-IMMUNODEFICIENCY-VIRUS TYPE-1-INFECTED SUBJECTS BY USING THE POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION

In 13 of 16 AIDS patients with retinitis, a herpesviruslike infection was diagnosed by clinical investigation. In 12 of the 13 patients, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) DNA was detected in 5-mu-l of aqueous humor by using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). In the aqueous humor of 12 control patients HCMV DNA could not be detected by PCR. PCR may be used to monitor specific antiviral long-term therapy in HCMV retinitis.