Presumed CMV associated necrotizing retinopathy in a non-HIV immunocompromised host

Herpetic necrotizing retinitis is caused by the herpesvirus group of viruses, including cytomegalovirus (CMV). Reports defining causative viruses have shown CMV to be a rare cause of acute retinal necrosis. In fact, there is only one report in the literature of CMV associated with progressive outer retinal necrosis, which is most commonly associated with Varicella zoster virus. A case is presented of CMV-related necrotizing retinopathy concurrent with subtle signs of herpetic retinitis in an immunocompromised patient, highlighting the spectrum of response of herpetic retinopathies.