Intravitreal foscarnet for the treatment of acyclovir-resistant acute retinal necrosis caused by varicella zoster virus.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To report of a case of acute retinal necrosis (ARN), successfully treated with intravitreal foscarnet.

METHODS:

Case report.

RESULTS:

A 40-year-old man diagnosed with varicella zoster virus (VZV)-induced ARN failed standard acyclovir treatment. He was treated subsequently with intravenous foscarnet, but developed acute renal failure after 1 day of treatment. All systemic anti-viral agents were discontinued, and intravitreal foscarnet was administered weekly. After 5 injections, the retinitis was dramatically improved.

CONCLUSIONS:

Intravitreal foscarnet was efficacious in the treatment of acyclovir-resistant ARN caused by VZV. It may be used as the sole treatment in patients with intolerance to systemic administration.

• Authors: Mee Yon Lee, Kyu Seop Kim, Won Ki Lee
• Journal: Ocular immunology and inflammation (Ocul Immunol Inflamm) Vol. 19 Issue 3 Pg. 212-3 (Jun 2011) ISSN: 1744-5078 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 21595539 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Antiviral Agents
• Foscarnet
• Acyclovir

Topics

• Acyclovir (administration & dosage)
• Adult
• Antiviral Agents (administration & dosage)
• Drug Resistance, Viral
• Foscarnet (administration & dosage)
• Herpes Zoster (drug therapy)
• Herpesvirus 3, Human (physiology)
• Humans
• Injections, Intravenous
• Intravitreal Injections
• Male
• Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute (virology)
• Treatment Outcome