Detection of Cytomegalovirus in Vitreous, Aqueous and Conjunctiva by Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)
Kessara Pathanapitoon, MD*, Somsaguan Ausayakhun, MD*, Paradee Kunavisarut, MD*, Arporn Pungrasame, MD*, Wasna Sirirungsi, PhD**
Affiliation : * Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai ** Department of Clinical Microbiology, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai
Objective : To evaluate the diagnostic value of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on vitreous,
aqueous and conjunctiva for the detection of cytomegalovirus in AIDS patients with a clinical diagnosis of
cytomegalovirus retinitis.
Materials and Methods : PCR-based assay was used to detect cytomegalovirus DNA in vitreous, aqueous and
conjunctival samples from 24 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who had un-
treated clinically diagnosed cytomegalovirus retinitis and from 15 immunocompetent patients, including 11
with retinal detachment, 2 with macular hole and 2 with vitreous hemorrhage.
Results : Cytomegalovirus DNA was detected in 16, 9 and 3 of 24 vitreous, aqueous and conjunctival samples,
respectively, from patients with AIDS, untreated clinically diagnosis of cytomegalovirus retinitis; and in one
patient out of 15 vitreous, aqueous and conjunctival samples from immunocompetent patients with vitreoretinal
diseases.
Conclusion : The use of PCR in the detection of cytomegalovirus in vitreous, aqueous and conjunctival
samples had an equal specificity of 93% and had sensitivity of 67, 37 and 12%, respectively.
Keywords : Cytomegalovirus retinitis, Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, Polymerase chain reaction
