CHARACTERIZATION OF REACTIVATION OF CYTOMEGALOVIRUS RETINITIS IN PATIENTS HEALED AFTER TREATMENT WITH HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY

Abstract

Four patients treated with HAART experienced reactivation of CMV retinitis as their CD4 count decreased. The threshold CD4 count below which reactivation of CMV retinitis occurred in patients for whom HAART was not successful appeared to be 50 cells/mm3. Despite an initial response to HAART, patients are still at risk for reactivation of CMV retinitis if their CD4 count decreases to less than 50 cells/mm3. The HIV viral load did not appear to predict CMV reactivation.