Cytomegalovirus retinitis and optic neuritis in acquired immune deficiency syndrome. Report of a case.

A 33-year-old man with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) was found to have bilateral cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis with concomitant unilateral optic neuritis. The patient died and postmortem examination of both eyes disclosed CMV inclusions in all layers of the involved retinas including the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Also found were CMV inclusions in the optic nerve of his left eye. Immunohistochemical stains for glial fibrillary acid protein demonstrated that glial cells were infected in the optic nerve.