Treatment for Epstein-Barr Virus-associated uveitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction: Efficacy of Anti-Viral Agents and a literature review

Background: There are still many research challenges and unanswered questions in relation to Epstein-Barr virus-associated uveitis. These include the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA in asymptomatic patients, its pathogenicity in the uveitis eye, and the role of antiviral therapy for EBV-associated intraocular inflammation. Methods: This was a retrospective review of prospectively collected data from the Ophthalmology Department, Rajavithi Hospital between 2015 and 2020. A qualitative assay using multiplex real-time PCR was performed to detect pathogen genes from specimens obtained from a total of 344 patients. The main outcome measure was treatment success defined by clinical improvement and absence of viral DNA confirmed by PCR. Results: Of the 35 cases, 24 with complete data were enrolled in the study, including 22 with post-treatment PCR results. Sixty-seven percent were HIV-infected, and other plausible causes or coinfection with other pathogens were found in 75% of patients. Cytomegalovirus (38%) was the most common co-infecting pathogen. The most commonly employed regimen was a combination of systemic acyclovir and intravitreal ganciclovir injection (58%). Of the 22 cases who had post-treatment PCR results, absence of detection of the virus by PCR in the intraocular fluid after treatment was demonstrated in 73% of patients. Conclusion: Patients with EBV infection can be simultaneously co-infected with other pathogens. Systemic acyclovir and ganciclovir achieved clinical improvement in most cases, and EBV infection was cured in the majority of patients.

Automated summary

There are still many research challenges and unanswered questions in relation to Epstein-Barr virus-associated uveitis, including the presence of viral DNA in asymptomatic patients, its pathogenicity in uveitis eyes, and the effectiveness of antiviral therapy. A retrospective review was conducted on data collected from a Thai hospital's Ophthalmology Department, revealing that patients with EBV infection may also be co-infected with other pathogens. Most cases showed clinical improvement with systemic acyclovir and ganciclovir treatment, and the majority of patients achieved a cure for the EBV infection.