Retinitis after haematopoietic stem cell transplantation with multiple intraocular viral infections (cytomegalovirus, Epstein‒Barr virus and herpes simplex virus)- a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background To report a case of retinitis with multiple intraocular viral infections after second haematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Case presentation A 39-year-old female patient developed retinitis after a second haematopoietic stem cell transplant. Right eye was tested for three viral infections– cytomegalovirus, Epstein‒Barr virus and herpes simplex virus, while left was infected with cytomegalovirus. The patient was subsequently treated with vitreous cavity ganciclovir injections, and 1 week later both eyes tested negative for aqueous humour viruses. Discussion and conclusion CMV, EBV and HSV belong to the herpes virus family. They are all commonly observed in the body and represent opportunity infectious viruses. The retinitis they cause have different characteristics. But simultaneous infection of the eye by multiple viruses is quite rare. In this case, three viruses were detected in the patient’s eye, but whether the retina was caused by all three viruses at the same time could not be determined. A satisfactory outcome was achieved after treatment with vitreous cavity ganciclovir injection.

Keywords

• Retinitis
• Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
• CMV
• EBV
• HSV