Eye signs that alert the clinician to a diagnosis of AIDS.

Abstract

One of the hallmarks of progressive immune deficiency is a steady decline in the absolute number of CD4+ T-lymphocytes. As the immune response thus becomes suppressed, opportunistic systemic infections such as protozoal (Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, disseminated toxoplasmosis), viral (Cytomegalovirus pneumonitis and colitis and persistent invasive herpes simplex lesions), fungal (cryptococcossis and esophageal candidiasis) and bacterial infections (atypical mycobacterial and extrapulmonary tuberculosis) set in to claim their toll. Ocular complications occur in about 75% of AIDS patients and may be divided into four categories: Retinal microangiopathy, Opportunistic infections, Tumours, Neuro-ophthalmological lesions. Only the most frequently occurring manifestations will be highlighted.

• Authors: D Meyer
• Journal: SADJ : journal of the South African Dental Association = tydskrif van die Suid-Afrikaanse Tandheelkundige Vereniging (SADJ) Vol. 60 Issue 9 Pg. 386-7 (Oct 2005) ISSN: 1029-4864 [Print] South Africa
• PMID: 16320530 (Publication Type: Journal Article)

Topics

• AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections (diagnosis)
• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (diagnosis)
• Eye Diseases (diagnosis)
• Eye Infections, Viral (diagnosis)
• Eye Neoplasms (diagnosis)
• Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus (diagnosis)
• Humans
• Keratitis, Herpetic (diagnosis)
• Molluscum Contagiosum
• Sarcoma, Kaposi (diagnosis)