Association of herpes zoster ophthalmicus with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acute retinal necrosis. NLM AIDSLINE Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

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Association of herpes zoster ophthalmicus with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and acute retinal necrosis.

Am J Ophthalmol. 1993 Sep 15;116(3):297-301. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/93362747
Sellitti TP; Huang AJ; Schiffman J; Davis JL; Department of Ophthalmology, Bascom Palmer Eye Institute, University; of Miami, FL 33101.


Abstract: We conducted a review to investigate the prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), in patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus, as well as the incidence of acute retinal necrosis after herpes zoster ophthalmicus. All charts of patients seen at our institution between 1987 and 1992 with a primary diagnosis of herpes zoster ophthalmicus were reviewed. Of 112 patients with herpes zoster ophthalmicus, 29 (26%) had HIV or AIDS. All these patients were younger than 50 years at the time of diagnosis. Five of 29 (17%) immunocompromised patients had acute retinal necrosis after herpes zoster ophthalmicus. No acute retinal necrosis was identified in the nonimmunocompromised patients after herpes zoster ophthalmicus. We recommend that all patients younger than 50 years who have herpes zoster ophthalmicus at initial examination be tested for HIV. Additionally, HIV-infected patients should be monitored closely after herpes zoster ophthalmicus for development of acute retinal necrosis. Long-term oral prophylactic as well as initial high-dose intravenous acyclovir may be appropriate in HIV-infected individuals with herpes zoster.
Keywords: *AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections/COMPLICATIONS *Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus/COMPLICATIONS *Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute/ETIOLOGYKWDaids-relatedopportunisticinfections/complicationsKWDherpeszosterophthalmicus/complicationsKWDretinalnecrosissyndrome,acute/etiology
931130
M93B0315

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