Purpose: To explore the optimal treatment for cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) in patients status-post Allogeneic bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT), based on aqueous humor indicators.
Methods: A randomized controlled study with 35 eyes. Eyes were randomized with a 1:1 ratio to standard treatment group (Group 1, with treatment endpoint as aqueous CMV-DNA load＜103 copy/ml), and interleukin (IL)-8 group (Group 2, with treatment endpoint as aqueous IL-8 level ＜30 pg/ml or CMV-DNA load＜103 copy/ml) to receive antiviral intravitreal injections. Number of injections, CMVR recurrence rate, complication rate, and vision changes were analyzed and compared.
Results: The mean number of injections in group 2 was less than in group 1 (6 vs 8 respectively, p<0.05). There were no significant differences in CMVR recurrence, complication and vision recovery rate.
Conclusion: Incorporating aqueous humor IL-8 level into the criteria of CMVR treatment decision can safely and effectively reduce the number of intravitreal injections needed and can be used as important indicators to assess treatment endpoint.
Keywords: Allogeneic bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT); Interleukin-8 (IL-8); aqueous humor; cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR); treatment.