Recovery of Human immunodeficiency Virus from Ocular Tissues in Patients with Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome

Pathogenesis of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

“…Finally, HIV infection of other cells and tissues from organs such as the thymus, liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, salivary glands, eyes, prostate, testes, and adrenals has been described (Table 7) (47,126,127,151,192,227,254,397,406,651,703,770,860,929,938,954,1034,1054,1130). HIV antigen has been identified in muscle macrophages of a patient with myopathy (143), and infection of placenta and fetal tissues has been discussed in Section IV F. In the tissues studied, the cells infected could lack the CD4 molecule as well as express it (see Section VII E).…”

Human immunodeficiency virus and its effects on the visual system

“…115 The idea of BRB breakdown is supported by the presence of HIV in the iris despite treatment with zidovudine. 15 HIV infected transgenic mice were found to have swelling and vacuolization of lens fiber cells, without associated inflammation, at 3-6 months of age. Large amounts of p24 GAG protein were found in both the lens and retina.…”

“…Since thymus involution occurs during the teenage years, infected patients are frequently unable to mount an immune response to new antigens. 14 HIV has been found in mononucleated white blood cells 15 and HIV infected macrophages which may act by releasing neurotrophic factors, enzymes, or cytokines, or by directly releasing virions, enveloping glycoproteins, or inflammatory mediators. Elevated levels of cytokines, particularly TNF-α, interleukin-1 and interleukin-2, have been reported in the serum of AIDS patients.…”

“…22 HIV can be found in most mucous membrane secretions, including semen, cervical secretions and saliva. 15 Additionally, HIV has been found in all ocular fluids: tears, aqueous and vitreous. 23 …”

Ocular problems in AIDS

“…HIV has been isolated from the tears [18], the conjunctiva [17], the cornea [13], aqueous humor [26], the retinal vascular endothelium [40] and from multiple ocular tissues [4]. Hence, it has been postulated that HIV itself may play an important role in the pathogenesis of HIV related retinopathy.…”