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Presumed Bilateral Retinitis Associated with JC Virus in a Patient with HIV AIDS
Aylin Tetik1, Paul Goupillou1, Adélaïde Toutée2
1Department of Ophthalmology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Rouen, Rouen, France.
Ocular Immunology and Inflammation
|July 3, 2026
Summary
This case report details JC virus (JCV) retinitis in an AIDS patient with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Retinal lesions stabilized with immune restoration, highlighting JCV as a potential cause of atypical retinitis.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Neurology
Background:
- JC virus (JCV) is a polyomavirus typically causing progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in immunocompromised individuals.
- Ocular manifestations of JCV, such as retinitis, are rare and poorly characterized.
- This study focuses on a unique case of JCV retinitis in the context of advanced HIV/AIDS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe the clinical presentation and diagnostic findings of JC virus (JCV) retinitis.
- To investigate the association between JCV retinitis and progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in an AIDS patient.
- To report the outcome of JCV retinitis following treatment and immune restoration.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case report of a single patient.
- Clinical data including fundus examination and neurological assessment were reviewed.
- Vitreous samples were analyzed using Next Generation Sequencing (NGS) for pathogen identification.
Main Results:
- A 29-year-old male with AIDS and PML presented with retinal atrophy and pigment epithelium changes.
- Despite various treatments, both brain and retinal lesions worsened.
- NGS analysis of vitreous fluid confirmed JCV presence, with no other pathogens detected.
- Retinal and brain lesions stabilized following immune restoration.
Conclusions:
- This case suggests JC virus (JCV) can cause atypical retinitis in severely immunocompromised patients.
- JCV retinitis may co-exist with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in AIDS patients.
- Immune restoration is crucial for the stabilization of JCV-related ocular and neurological disease.
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