Cytomegalovirus-associated acute retinal necrosis syndrome.

Abstract

To describe a case of acute retinal necrosis syndrome in which a polymerase chain reaction-based assay provided evidence for cytomegalovirus as the causative agent of the syndrome. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays were used to analyze a vitreous aspirate from a 70-year-old man with acute retinal necrosis syndrome. The specimen was tested for cytomegalovirus, varicella-zoster virus, and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2. The polymerase chain reaction assay for cytomegalovirus was positive, and polymerase chain reaction assays for varicella-zoster virus and herpes simplex virus type 1 and type 2 were negative. Cytomegalovirus may be a causative agent of acute retinal necrosis syndrome.