Triple viral retinitis diagnosed by polymerase chain reaction of the vitreous biopsy in a patient with Richter syndrome.

Levinson, R D; Hooks, J J; Wang, Y; Chiu, M T; Kellaway, J; Chan, C C · Am J Ophthalmol · 1998

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

To report the evaluation and identification of herpes viruses associated with retinitis in a patient with Richter syndrome. Diagnostic vitrectomy was performed on a patient with systemic leukemia and retinitis. The vitreous sample was evaluated by cytology, analysis of cytokines by ELISA, and detection of virus by polymerase chain reaction. The vitreous biopsy specimen showed no malignant cells but predominant CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration with elevated interferon gamma and interleukin-6. DNA amplification and Southern blot analysis demonstrated DNA of herpes simplex, varicella-zoster, and cytomegalovirus. Retinitis associated with multiple viruses in the vitreous biopsy may mimic leukemic infiltration in the eye.

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