Purpose: Describing the utility of Polymerase Chain Reaction for Cytomegalovirus (CMV-PCR) in the diagnosis of suspected viral anterior uveitis (AU).
Patients and methods: We analyzed aqueous humor (AH) CMV-PCR positivity and treatment modifications in 47 eyes of 46 patients with viral uveitis and its correlation with high intraocular pressure (HIOP), uveitis clinical characteristics and time intervals from samples to uveitis diagnosis and to relapse.
Results: CMV-PCR positive results occurred in 13 eyes (27.7%) of 12 patients. They were more frequent in HIOP eyes (34.2%, p = 0.047) and with Posner-Schlossman Syndrome (56.2%, p = 0.002). CMV-PCR positivity (p = 0.001) and HIOP (p = 0.038) increased the probability of treatment change. Although CMV-PCR positive results decreased over time (p = 0.002), they were not related to activity or proximity to inflammatory uveitis episode.
Conclusion: HIOP AU eyes should be considered for CMV-PCR AH analysis due to possible treatment modifications.
Keywords: Anterior uveitis; PCR; Posner–Schlossman syndrome; cytomegalovirus; intraocular pressure.