Concurrent Occurrence of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis and Oesophagitis in an Immunocompromised Male Patient

Abstract

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a double-stranded Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) virus which causes severe disease in immunocompromised individuals. Chorioretinitis accounts for 80-90% of CMV infection in patients with Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) having CD4 (Cluster of Differentiation) counts <50 µ/mL, and rarely in those with CD4 counts more than 100 µ/mL. In developing countries, CMV infection is known to cause blindness in 5-25% of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infected individuals. After colitis, oesophagitis is the most common Gastrointestinal Tract (GIT) manifestation of CMV in immunocompromised individuals. In immunocompetent individuals the disease associated with CMV is often self-limiting. So, authors presented a case report of 40- year-old HIV infected male, with CD4 count of 75 µ/mL, having complaints of dysphagia and concomitant blindness. On the basis of an array of investigations, he was diagnosed as having CMV retinitis with oesophagitis. He had a predictable outcome after treatment with Gancyclovir (GCV). Thus, in immunocompromised individuals, especially with a CD4 count <100 µ/mL, surveillance of oesophagitis and retinitis with endoscopic and fundoscopic interventions, respectively, must be done. This can help in improving life expectancy in such individuals.

Keywords

• acquired immunodeficiency syndrome
• blindness
• colitis
• dysphagia