Infection of the Retina by Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type I

Abstract

HUMAN immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is the etiologic agent of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).1 2 3 4 HIV penetrates specific cells bearing the CD4 surface antigen5 , 6 and has been observed in helper T lymphocytes, monocytes, Langerhans' cells, and recently, astrocytes, endothelial cells, oligodendrocytes, and neurons.7 8 9 10 11 HIV-infected cells have been found in the blood, semen, vaginal secretions, breast milk, lymph nodes, brain, spinal cord, and peripheral nerves.7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Many patients with HIV infection have a variety of ocular abnormalities not associated with obvious opportunistic infections; these abnormalities include cotton-wool spots and microvascular changes of the retina.20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 These observations, together with the established neurotropism of HIV, . . .