Macroglobulinemia with Unusual Vascular Changes

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) combined with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and optic disc neovascularization associated with HIV and CMV retinitis

“…Factors that affect the retinal vasculature may include direct endothelial infection by HIV or toxic endothelial or retinal effects from HIV and CMV [12,24], inflammatory mediators released by damaged endothelial cells (cytokines) [25], and/or rheologic problems resulting from increased blood viscosity [ 12,26,27]. Coagulation activation, resulting in fibrin formation and deposition, may accompany any inflammation.…”

“…Other opportunistic infectious agents that lead to the development of immune complexes or changes in the retinal vasculature in AIDS patients [26,31] could also be factors in the pathogenesis of BRAO with concomitant BRVO and NVD. Although an opportunistic pulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii was present in this patient, no ocular involvement was found, nor were there any signs of toxoplasmosis or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare.…”

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) combined with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and optic disc neovascularization associated with HIV and CMV retinitis

“…Factors that affect the retinal vasculature may include direct endothelial infection by HIV or toxic endothelial or retinal effects from HIV and CMV [12,24], inflammatory mediators released by damaged endothelial cells (cytokines) [25], and/or rheologic problems resulting from increased blood viscosity [ 12,26,27]. Coagulation activation, resulting in fibrin formation and deposition, may accompany any inflammation.…”

“…Other opportunistic infectious agents that lead to the development of immune complexes or changes in the retinal vasculature in AIDS patients [26,31] could also be factors in the pathogenesis of BRAO with concomitant BRVO and NVD. Although an opportunistic pulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii was present in this patient, no ocular involvement was found, nor were there any signs of toxoplasmosis or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare.…”

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) combined with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and optic disc neovascularization associated with HIV and CMV retinitis

“…Factors that affect the retinal vasculature may include direct endothelial infection by HIV or toxic endothelial or retinal effects from HIV and CMV [12,24], inflammatory mediators released by damaged endothelial cells (cytokines) [25], and/or rheologic problems resulting from increased blood viscosity [ 12,26,27]. Coagulation activation, resulting in fibrin formation and deposition, may accompany any inflammation.…”

“…Other opportunistic infectious agents that lead to the development of immune complexes or changes in the retinal vasculature in AIDS patients [26,31] could also be factors in the pathogenesis of BRAO with concomitant BRVO and NVD. Although an opportunistic pulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii was present in this patient, no ocular involvement was found, nor were there any signs of toxoplasmosis or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare.…”

Branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO) combined with branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO) and optic disc neovascularization associated with HIV and CMV retinitis

“…Factors that affect the retinal vasculature may include direct endothelial infection by HIV or toxic endothelial or retinal effects from HIV and CMV [12,24], inflammatory mediators released by damaged endothelial cells (cytokines) [25], and/or rheologic problems resulting from increased blood viscosity [ 12,26,27]. Coagulation activation, resulting in fibrin formation and deposition, may accompany any inflammation.…”

“…Other opportunistic infectious agents that lead to the development of immune complexes or changes in the retinal vasculature in AIDS patients [26,31] could also be factors in the pathogenesis of BRAO with concomitant BRVO and NVD. Although an opportunistic pulmonary infection with Pneumocystis carinii was present in this patient, no ocular involvement was found, nor were there any signs of toxoplasmosis or Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare.…”