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Updated: Aug 6, 2026
Cell-Free DNA Extraction of Vitreous and Aqueous Humor Specimens for Diagnosis and Monitoring of Vitreoretinal Lymphoma
Published on: January 12, 2024
Cytomegalovirus retinitis in chronic lymphocytic leukaemia
1Birmingham and Midland Eye Centre, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trusts, Birmingham, UK.
Purpose:
To describe a rare association of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.
Patients And Methods:
Report of three patients with chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (CLL) who developed CMV retinitis.
Results:
The diagnosis was established by the detection of CMV DNA by polymerase chain reaction analysis of aqueous and/or vitreous humour. CD4+ T-lymphocyte count was reduced in two patients and normal in the third one. There was bilateral involvement in two of the three patients. There was delay of 8-10 months in diagnosis. The visual outcome was poor in four out of the five eyes involved owing to optic atrophy or total retinal detachment with proliferative vitreoretinopathy.
Conclusion:
Increased awareness of CMV retinitis in patients who have received immunosuppression for haematological malignancies, such as CLL, could lead to earlier diagnosis and possibly better visual outcome.
