[Cytomegalovirus retinitis and ocular complications in AIDS patients in Togo]

Cytomegalovirus retinitis seems to be an uncommon complication in African AIDS patients. This study was conducted in 200 patients in order to evaluate AIDS eye related complications with specific focus to cytomegalovirus retinitis.

During a period of 20 months, 200 patients (83 men and 117 women) presenting WHO AIDS case definition diagnosis were enrolled for a complete ocular examination comprising external, anterior segment and retinal fundus and fluorescein angiographic examination.

For the whole, 200 patients underwent ocular examinations; of them 121 (60.5%) developed ocular complications. The most frequent complications were cotton wool spots (25.5%), cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis (21.5%), retinal hemorrhage (6%), papilloedema (3%), chorioretinal toxoplasmosis (3%), peripheral retinal vascularitis (2. 5%), herpes zoster ophthalmicus (2%). Among those with CMV retinitis, bilateral lesions were found in 30 cases, and unilateral ones in 13 cases. Poor vision was associated with the presence of CMV retinitis in 88% of cases. Death occurred in a mean range of 22 days after the "presumed" diagnosis of CMV retinitis.

Cytomegalovirus retinitis represents the second ocular complication in AIDS patients in this study. Poor visual outcome was associated in 88% of cases. These results demonstrate that in some west African countries, CMV retinitis may be a common complication in AIDS patients.