Risk factors for advancement of cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. Studies of Ocular Complications of AIDS Research Group

CLINICAL CHARACTERISTICS AND PROGNOSTIC FACTORS AFFECTING CLINICAL OUTCOMES IN CYTOMEGALOVIRUS RETINITIS WITH OR WITHOUT HIV INFECTION

PURPOSE

To explore the clinical features and outcomes of cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in patients with HIV and non-HIV.

METHODS

This retrospective cohort study included all patients with CMVR in National Taiwan University Hospital from 2013 to 2018. Demographic data, clinical characteristics, CMVR recurrence, and overall survival were compared between the HIV and non-HIV groups. Generalized estimating equation models were implemented to analyze the risk factors of poor visual prognosis. The Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed to investigate recurrence and survival.

RESULTS

A total of 66 patients (95 eyes) with CMVR were enrolled, with no significant differences between the HIV (41 patients; 61 eyes) and non-HIV (25 patients; 34 eyes) groups in initial/final visual acuity, lesion area, or viral loads. Poor visual outcome was associated with poor initial visual acuity, retinal detachment, and a higher plasma cytomegalovirus titer. The HIV group had significantly longer survival rate ( P = 0.033) and lower recurrence rate ( P = 0.01) than the non-HIV group, and it also presented with better prognosis in recurrence-free survival analysis ( P = 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Patients with CMVR without HIV had higher mortality and recurrence rates than the HIV group. Risk factors of poor visual outcome included poor initial visual acuity, retinal detachment, and a high plasma cytomegalovirus titer.

Clinical Features and CD4+ T Cells Count in AIDS Patients with CMV Retinitis: Correlation with Mortality

PURPOSE

To explore the all-cause mortality in patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis.

METHODS

A retrospective cohort study of patients with CMV retinitis (CMVR) presented to a tertiary referral center in Singapore from January 1, 2004, through December 31, 2015.

RESULTS

A total of 144 patients were studied (87 survived, 11 lost to follow up, 46 died). Patients with bilateral CMVR and six-month follow up CD4 + T cell count < 50 cells/mm³ have shorter time to mortality, compared to patients with CD4 + T cell count > 50 cells/mm³ (p < .001) and unilateral disease (p = .043). Baseline CD4 + T cell count, size and zone of initial primary retinitis lesions, recurrences of retinitis, and timing of combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) are not significantly associated with mortality.

CONCLUSION

Bilateral ocular involvement and lack of immune recovery in patients with AIDS and CMVR are associated with shorter survival time.

Relationship Between Opacity of Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Lesion Borders and Severity of Immunodeficiency Among People With AIDS

Purpose

To evaluate risk factors for severity of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis lesion whitening (opacity), using a standardized scoring system.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional, observational investigation of all individuals with newly diagnosed AIDS-related CMV retinitis in three randomized clinical trials and one prospective observational study. Opacity was scored by masked readers, using a prospectively defined ordinal 6-point scale. Demographic factors, laboratory data (CD4+, CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] blood levels), and lesion characteristics (location, size) were compared to the highest opacity score assigned to either eye. Among eyes with active lesions (scores ≥3), factors associated with severe opacity (scores 5, 6) were identified.

Results

There were 299 participants (401 eyes with CMV retinitis). In one or more comparisons, increased opacity was associated with lower CD4+ and lower CD8+ T-lymphocyte counts, higher HIV blood level, lack of antiretroviral therapy, male sex, race/ethnicity, and bilateral disease. In eyes with active disease, severe opacity was associated with lower CD4+ T-lymphocyte count, higher HIV blood level, older age, Karnofsky score, lesion size, and bilateral disease. No relationship was identified between opacity and lesion location.

Conclusions

Lesion border opacity (resulting from CMV activity) reflects level of immune function; as immunodeficiency becomes worse, CMV activity (and opacity) increases. The positive relationship between opacity and HIV blood level may reflect both immunodeficiency and increased CMV activity caused by transactivation of CMV by HIV. Scoring of opacity may be a useful, standard measure for continued study of CMV retinitis across different settings and populations. (Clinicaltrials.gov number for the HPMPC CMV Retinitis Trial: NCT00000142; Clinicaltrials.gov number for the Monoclonal Antibody CMV Retinitis Trial: NCT00000135; Clinicaltrials.gov number for the Ganciclovir-Cidofovir CMV Retinitis Trial: NCT0000014; Clinicaltrials.gov number for the Longitudinal Study of the Ocular Complications of AIDS: NCT00000168.).

Long-Term Follow-up of a Cohort of HIV-Infected Patients Who Discontinued Maintenance Therapy for Cytomegalovirus Retinitis

PURPOSE

To determine the long-term safety of discontinuation of maintenance therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) and to identify predictors for relapse.

METHOD

This was a prospective cohort study. Patients with treated CMVR who responded to HAART were followed by ophthalmologic assessment, markers for CMV replication (blood and urine cultures, CMV antigenemia, CMV DNA by PCR), and in vitro lymphoproliferative responses to CMV and other antigens after discontinuation of CMVR maintenance therapy.

RESULTS

23 patients were followed a median of 34 (range, 5-61) months. Median CD4 count was 321/mm3 at enrollment and 395/mm3 at last follow-up. HIV RNA was <50 copies/mL in 78% of patients at enrollment and 65% at last follow-up. One CMVR reactivation occurred at 12 months at a CD4 count of 395/mm3 (21%) and HIV RNA <50 copies/mL. Urine cultures were a poor predictive marker for reactivation. Other CMV replication markers had good negative predictive value. 96% of patients had a good lymphoproliferative response to CMV antigen in vitro.

CONCLUSION

Maintenance therapy for CMVR can safely be discontinued in patients who have responded to HAART. Combining our results with the published literature, the risk of reactivation is estimated at 0.016 per person year of follow-up. Markers to predict relapse and the need for re-initiation of maintenance therapy are not yet identified.

Role of human cytomegalovirus genotype polymorphisms in AIDS patients with cytomegalovirus retinitis

Although several host factors have been identified to influence the course of HCMV infection, it still remains unclear why in AIDS patients without highly active antiretroviral therapy human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) retinitis is one of the most common opportunistic infections, whereas in other immunosuppressed individuals it has a low incidence. It was suggested that HCMV glycoprotein B strains may be suitable as marker for virulence and HCMV retinitis. Moreover, UL144 ORF, a member of the TNF-α receptor superfamily, may play a crucial role in innate defences and adaptive immune response of HCMV infection. Furthermore, sequence analyses of HCMV genes UL128, UL130, and UL131A as major determinants of virus entry and replication in epithelial and other cell types were performed. To evaluate the association of sequence variability of depicted viral genes with HCMV retinitis and in vitro growth properties in retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE) and human foreskin fibroblasts (HFF), we compared 14 HCMV isolates obtained from vitreous fluid and urine of AIDS patients with clinically proven HCMV retinitis. Isolates were analyzed by PCR cycle sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. In addition, sequences of HCMV strains AF1, U8, U11, VR1814, and its cell culture adapted derivates were included. Sequence analysis of gB yielded three genetic subtypes (gB type 1 (5 isolates), gB type 2 (12 isolates), and gB type 3 (5 Isolates)), whereas sequence analysis of UL144 showed a greater diversity (7 isolates type 1A, 2 isolates type 1C, 7 isolates type 2, and 3 isolates type 3). In contrast, the UL128, UL130, and UL131A genes of all low-passage isolates were highly conserved and showed no preferential clustering. Moreover, in HFF and RPE cells, all of our HCMV isolates replicated efficiently independently of their genetic subtype. In conclusion, beside a possible link between the gB subtype 2 and HCMV retinitis, our study found no direct evidence for a connection between UL144/UL128/UL130/UL131A genotypes and the incidence of HCMV retinitis in AIDS patients.

Characteristics of untreated AIDS-related cytomegalovirus retinitis. I. Findings before the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (1988 to 1994)

PURPOSE

To identify factors related to variations in the appearance of untreated AIDS-related cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in severely immunodeficient individuals before the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and to draw inferences regarding early events in the natural history of CMV retinitis based on clinical findings.

DESIGN

Retrospective, observational case series.

METHODS

We evaluated a series of 100 adult patients with AIDS and newly diagnosed CMV retinitis before the HAART era who were not being treated with specific anti-CMV therapy. Demographic factors, ophthalmic findings, and the influence of drug therapy (zidovudine, acyclovir) on lesion characteristics were evaluated. Lesion border opacity was scored using a four-point scale of severity.

RESULTS

Lesions could be categorized by type (fulminant/edematous or indolent/granular) in only 66% of eyes. Severe lesion border opacity (4+) was related to presence of zone 1 lesions (P = .032) and greater extent of disease (P = .004). Acyclovir use was associated with less severe opacity (P = .029) and less zone 1 involvement (P = .016). Early lesions were adjacent to vessels in 73% of eyes; the fovea was involved in 13% of eyes.

CONCLUSIONS

Lesion location and drug use that affects virus activity may influence the severity of lesion border opacity, a measure that may be more useful than lesion type in future clinical studies of CMV retinitis. In contrast to earlier concepts, CMV retinitis does not seem to be a fovea-sparing disease. Findings in this study can serve as a reference for investigations into possible changes in CMV retinitis since the introduction of HAART.

Longitudinal Study of the Ocular Complications of AIDS

OBJECTIVE

To report the prevalence of ocular complications of AIDS in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

DESIGN

Cohort study.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients with AIDS, 13 years or older.

METHODS

History, eye examination, and laboratory testing at enrollment.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Frequency of ocular complications at enrollment.

RESULTS

As of March 31, 2003, 1632 participants with AIDS were enrolled. The cohort had a history of severe immune deficiency, as evidenced by a median nadir CD4+ T-cell count of 30 cells per microliter. At enrollment, the median CD4+ T-cell count was 164 cells per microliter. CD4+ T-cell counts were <50 in 24.1% but > or =100 in 63.6% and > or =200 in 43.0%. Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis was present in 22.1%, whereas other ocular opportunistic infections each were present in < or =0.6%. The incidence of CMV retinitis estimated from retrospective data was 5.60/100 person-years. Of the 360 patients with CMV retinitis, 22.5% were newly diagnosed at enrollment, and the remainder had more long-standing CMV retinitis (median, 2.8 years).

CONCLUSIONS

Although there is the possibility of oversampling patients with AIDS and ocular complications (as compared with a random sample), which would lead to increased estimates of prevalent and incident ocular morbidities, these data still suggest a substantial decline in the incidence of CMV retinitis from the pre-HAART era. Nevertheless, new cases of CMV retinitis continue to occur, and there is a population of patients with long-standing retinitis who will require management.

Improving the reporting of clinical case series

PURPOSE

To describe common errors in the analyses and data presentation of a clinical case series and to suggest simple solutions.

DESIGN

Instructional examples.

METHODS

Problems with commonly used data analysis and reporting techniques in clinical case series are described using both theoretical examples and those from the literature.

RESULTS

An analysis reporting the proportion of a series of patients with variable follow-up does not adequately account for the differential follow-up among patients and is a potentially misleading way to present data. Instead, the proportion of patients at presentation (or study entry) and the rate during follow-up should be reported. Similarly, an analysis in which the final visual acuity of a series of patients with variable follow-up is reported does not adequately account for the effect of time and also may be misleading. Reporting of the rates of visual acuity events during follow-up (e.g., falling below a specified threshold, such as 20/50 or worse) is preferred. Alternatively, when there is nearly complete follow-up, reporting the distribution of visual acuity at specified time points (e.g., 1 year after study presentation) is appropriate. Small case series should not be overinterpreted because of the effects of chance, and appropriate statistical analyses should be employed.

CONCLUSIONS

Clinical case series often suffer from several potential reporting flaws. Correction of these flaws would permit the proper interpretation of the data and allow for the ability to combine data from several case series to assemble more meaningful and reliable conclusions.

Course of cytomegalovirus retinitis in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: 2. Second eye involvement and retinal detachment

PURPOSE

To describe the course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

DESIGN

Multicenter, prospective, observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred seventy-one patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis.

METHODS

Follow-up every 3 months with medical history, ophthalmologic examination, laboratory testing, and fundus photographs.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Second (contralateral) eye involvement among patients with unilateral disease and retinal detachment (RD).

RESULTS

The overall rate of second eye involvement among patients with unilateral CMV retinitis was 0.07 per person-year (PY); among those with CD4+ T-cell counts of <50/microl it was 0.34/PY, compared with 0.02/PY among those with CD4+ T-cell counts of > or =200/microl (P<0.0001). Risk factors for contralateral eye involvement included low CD4+ T-cell count and detectable CMV load. The overall rate of RD was 0.06/PY; among those with CD4+ T-cell counts of <50/microl it was 0.30/PY, compared with 0.02/PY among those with CD4+ T-cell counts of > or =200/microl (P<0.0001). Risk factors for RD included a low CD4+ T-cell count and larger area of CMV retinitis.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the rates reported in the pre-HAART era of second eye involvement (approximately 0.40/PY) and RD (approximately 0.50/PY), the rates of these events were reduced among patients in the HAART era. However, among patients with CD4+ T-cell counts of <50/microl, the rates were more similar to those from the pre-HAART era.

Course of cytomegalovirus retinitis in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy: 1. Retinitis progression

PURPOSE

To describe the course of cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis in patients with AIDS in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

DESIGN

Multicenter, prospective, observational study.

PARTICIPANTS

Two hundred seventy-one patients with AIDS and CMV retinitis.

METHODS

Follow-up every 3 months with medical history, ophthalmologic examination, laboratory testing, and fundus photographs. Photographs were evaluated for relapse of the retinitis (progression) by graders at a centralized reading center.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE

Retinitis progression (movement of the border of a CMV lesion > or =750 microm over a > or =750-microm front or occurrence of a new lesion one-quarter disc area or more in size).

RESULTS

The overall rate of retinitis progression was 0.10/person-year (PY); among those with CD4+ T-cell counts of <50/microl, it was 0.58/PY, compared to 0.02/PY among those with CD4+ T-cell counts of > or =200/microl (P<0.0001). In the multivariate analysis, significant risk factors for retinitis progression included a low CD4+ T-cell count, positive CMV load, longer time from AIDS diagnosis, and low Karnofsky score.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with the rate of retinitis progression (approximately 3.0/PY) reported in the pre-HAART era, the rate of retinitis progression was reduced among patients in the HAART era, even among those with low CD4+ T-cell counts, who might be expected to behave most like patients from the pre-HAART era. However, these events also occurred among patients with high CD4+ T-cell counts and presumed immune recovery. Continued ophthalmologic follow-up of patients with immune recovery is recommended to detect early retinitis progression.

Comparability of two fundus photograph reading centers in grading cytomegalovirus retinitis progression

PURPOSE

To compare grading of cytomegalovirus retinitis progression by two different fundus photograph reading centers (FPRCs).

DESIGN

Patients with AIDS followed in an ophthalmology service were enrolled in a prospective epidemiologic study of the prevalence and incidence of resistant cytomegalovirus in vitro.

METHODS

We compared masked replicate gradings by two different FPRCs of monthly fundus photographs for retinitis progression (onset of a separate new lesion or expansion of an existing lesion by > or =one-half disk diameter).

RESULTS

For 77 patients, Kaplan-Meier plots of progression over time were similar between FPRCs (median time to progression, 65 vs 69 days). Agreement between FPRCs was 51% (kappa [kappa] =.37, "fair") on exact visit of progression (28 patients) or on absence of progression through follow-up (11 patients) and 62% (kappa =.38) on progression visit +/- 1 month. Eight of 12 patients with progression graded as more than 1 month apart were only 2 months apart. Considering each monthly visit as a choice point, overall agreement on progression was 78% (kappa =.55, "moderate"). Baseline evaluation of retinitis showed 95% agreement on presence/absence and a concordance correlation coefficient of.75 for extent in combined zones 1 and 2. Rates of retinal loss over follow-up were estimated as 2.8%/month vs 2.0%/month (P =.015).

CONCLUSIONS

By adopting similar protocols and procedures, different FPRCs can achieve good agreement on presence and extent of cytomegalovirus retinitis. Further efforts to harmonize evaluation through ongoing comparison of gradings would likely improve agreement on retinitis progression.

Patient notification and follow-up after suspension of treatment protocols. experience from four clinical trials of treatments for AIDS-related CMV retinitis

We reviewed procedures for and data about patient notification of the suspension of the treatment protocol for four clinical trials. We also examined how data collected after the suspensions were used. All four trials were designed to evaluate treatments for cytomegalovirus retinitis in patients with AIDS and were conducted by the Studies of Ocular Complications of AIDS Research Group. Documentation that patients were notified of the results varied from 62--100% with three of the four studies documenting the process for > or =92% of patients. The median time between the recommendation for protocol suspension and patient notification varied from 7--49 days with three of the four trials at 12 days or fewer. Most of the analyses of data collected after the suspension of the treatment protocol did not focus on comparisons among treatment groups. Although they provided useful information about the long-term outcomes and the nature of the disease, they did not alter the conclusions about safety and efficacy from the randomized portion of the trial. Control Clin Trials 2001;22:62-68