Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science

Original article

Ophthalmology
Efficacy of high-dose vs. low-dose intravitreal ganciclovir for cytomegalovirus retinitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis: Seongyong Jeong, Areum Jeong, Jae Rock Do, Yong Koo Kang, Min Sagong; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2026;43:13. Published online January 14, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2026.43.13

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Background
Intravitreal ganciclovir is widely used to achieve effective local antiviral concentrations for cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis; however, to our knowledge, standardized dosing strategies have not been established, and the reported regimens vary considerably across studies. In this study, we evaluated dose-dependent treatment outcomes of intravitreal ganciclovir for CMV retinitis.
Methods
The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Scopus databases were searched through November 2025. Eligible studies included intravitreal ganciclovir monotherapy, with or without systemic antiviral therapy. Cumulative first-week intravitreal dose was calculated and classified as low dose (<4,000 μg) or high dose (≥4,000 μg). The pooled proportions for resolution, visual outcomes, recurrence, and retinal detachment were estimated using a random-effects model.
Results
Eighteen studies comprising 1132 eyes were included across all outcomes. The pooled proportion of anatomical resolution was 89% (95% confidence interval, 0.77–0.95), and 74% of eyes maintained stable or improved vision. Recurrence and retinal detachment occurred in 12% and 9% of the eyes, respectively. High-dose regimens achieved a significantly higher resolution than low-dose regimens (94% vs. 73%, p=0.019). Visual outcomes did not differ according to dose (77% vs. 73%, p=0.646). Recurrence also showed no dose-dependent difference (14% vs. 8%, p=0.654) and was observed predominantly in patients before the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy. The retinal detachment rates were similar (9% vs. 10%, p=0.780).
Conclusion
Initial intravitreal dosing at ≥4,000 μg within the first week achieved better retinitis resolution, supporting the benefit of a higher local ganciclovir concentration in the treatment of CMV retinitis.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Cytomegalovirus Retinitis Across the Immunosuppression Spectrum: A Contemporary Framework for Risk Stratification, Diagnosis, and Vision-Preserving Therapy
Shuai Su, Yulin Yang, Jiaying Wu, Yi Xiao
Journal of Clinical Medicine.2026; 15(19): 7482. CrossRef

Case report

Ophthalmology
Cytomegalovirus retinitis with panretinal occlusive vasculopathy concealed by hypertensive uveitis: a case report: Seongyong Jeong; J Yeungnam Med Sci. 2024;41(4):300-305. Published online August 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/jyms.2024.00584

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Abstract PDF

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) retinitis is a rare disease, and overlapping manifestations involving the anterior segment are extremely uncommon. We report a patient who initially presented with persistent corneal edema and was later diagnosed with CMV retinitis. A 72-year-old man with uncontrolled intraocular pressure (IOP) in his right eye visited a tertiary hospital. At initial presentation, the IOP was 36 mmHg and the fundus was not clear due to corneal edema. Spectral domain optical coherence tomography revealed paracentral acute middle maculopathy (PAMM). Panretinal obstructive vasculopathy was observed on ultra-widefield fluorescein angiography. Three weeks later, trabeculectomy was performed to resolve the persistently high IOP. Once corneal edema improved, a white patch-like peripheral lesion and silver wire-like retinal vasculature were observed. Polymerase chain reaction of the aqueous humor was positive for CMV. Oral valganciclovir and intravitreal ganciclovir were administered as antiviral therapies. Despite treatment for 4 months, the final visual acuity was no light perception, with persistent corneal edema and neovascularization of the iris. We describe a rare case of the simultaneous occurrence of hypertensive uveitis and CMV retinitis. The presence of PAMM could be an initial identifiable sign of CMV retinitis, even in the presence of media opacity.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Occlusive retinal vasculopathy on ultrawide-field fluorescein angiography in intraocular cytomegalovirus infection: a case series
Anamika Patel, Ilaria Testi, Harry Petrushkin, Carlos Pavesio
Journal of Ophthalmic Inflammation and Infection.2026;[Epub] CrossRef

Case Reports

Gastroenterology and Hepatology
Conservative treatment of cytomegalovirus colitis with bowel perforation in an immunocompetent patient: case report and review of literature: Kyoung Sik Nam, Hee Ug Park, Min Gi Park, Su Ho Park, Ji Yeon Hwang, Dong Kyu Kim, Sung Jun Kim; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2017;34(1):75-79. Published online June 30, 2017; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2017.34.1.75

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Abstract PDF: Cytomegalovirus (CMV) colitis, which is rare in an immunocompetent patient, was encountered in a 67-year-old man who was admitted due to persistent diarrhea. The first diagnostic tool was colonoscopy, which showed multiple ulcers from cecum to rectum. The secondary tool was CMV polymerase chain reaction, and CMV colitis was diagnosed. Intravenous ganciclovir therapy was administered, which resulted in improvement of diarrhea and ulcers throughout the colon were healed. Asymptomatic colon perforation was detected during diagnostic testing, which improved over the conventional treatment. CMV colitis is rare in immunocompetent patients, but it is essential for the differential diagnosis.

Hematology
A Case of Cytomegalovirus Colitis in Chronic Adult T-Cell Leukemia/Lymphoma.: Han Seung Park, Dae Young Kim, Ji Beom Kim, Yun Ku Kim, Min Soo Cho, Tae Jin Ok, Sun Joo Jang, Kyoo Hyung Lee; Yeungnam Univ J Med. 2011;28(2):187-191. Published online December 31, 2011; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12701/yujm.2011.28.2.187

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Abstract PDF: Adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL) is a malignancy of mature T-cells caused by the human T-cell lymphotrophic virus type I (HTLV-I). HTLV-I is endemic in some areas in Japan, the Caribbean basin, and Africa but has low prevalence in South Korea. Patients with ATLL are susceptible to opportunistic infections such as cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, but CMV infection in chronic ATLL is uncommon. Reported herein is a case involving a 44-year-old woman with chronic ATLL who presented the symptoms of fever and diarrhea. She was suspected to have acute-type ATLL but was later diagnosed with CMV colitis.

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