Cytomegalovirus retinitis after heart transplant: a case report

A man aged 51 years was found to have cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in his right eye one year after heart transplant surgery. Ophthalmoscopy revealed a patch yellowish-white, granular, necrotic lesions admixed with flame-shaped intraretinal hemorrhage over the temporal lower retina. Anti-CMV IgM antibody was positive. The visual acuity improved from 20/200 to 20/20 within one month by CMV hyperimmune globulin therapy (cytotect, Biotest, FRG, 2 ml/kg every other day for two weeks). The retinal necrosis healed with permanent scar tissue formation. No other complications were noted after a fifteen month follow up. In this study, the clinical findings and fundus picture were presented, along with previous literature reviewed.