       Document 0489
 DOCN  M9610489
 TI    AIDS-related optic neuropathy: a histological, virological and
       ultrastructural study.
 DT    9601
 AU    Sadun AA; Pepose JS; Madigan MC; Laycock KA; Tenhula WN; Freeman WR;
       Doheny Eye Institute, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
 SO    Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol. 1995 Jul;233(7):387-98. Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE MED/96020949
 AB    BACKGROUND: Clinical and histopathological evidence of optic nerve
       axonal loss has been reported in AIDS patients without retinitis. The
       study was carried out to investigate the possible involvement of
       HIV-infected cells in the development of optic nerve degeneration.
       METHODS: Optic nerves were obtained from eight AIDS patients and four
       normal controls. These nerves were morphologically and
       immunohistochemically analyzed. Additionally, using PCR amplification
       techniques, the retina and optic nerve samples obtained from three
       HIV-seropositive patients and one control were examined for the presence
       of HIV and cytomegalovirus antigens. RESULTS: We noted various stages of
       axonal degeneration in the optic nerves obtained from AIDS patients in
       whom there was an absence of retinal findings. Characteristic glial
       changes involving hypertrophic astrocytes, vacuolated oligodendrocytes,
       and mononuclear phagocyte series cells were also seen in the AIDS optic
       nerves. HIV DNA was present in at least four of five optic nerves but in
       only one of five retinas. Control specimens were each negative for all
       cytomegalovirus and HIV antigens. CONCLUSIONS: Degeneration in the optic
       nerve may be mediated by HIV-infected macrophages rather than by direct
       viral infection of neurons. Axonal degeneration due to AIDS at the level
       of the optic nerve can occur independently of retinal infection.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*COMPLICATIONS  Adult  Antigens,
       Viral/ANALYSIS  Astrocytes/CHEMISTRY/ULTRASTRUCTURE
       Axons/CHEMISTRY/ULTRASTRUCTURE  Base Sequence
       Cytomegalovirus/IMMUNOLOGY  DNA Primers/CHEMISTRY  DNA, Viral/ANALYSIS
       Eye Infections, Viral/*ETIOLOGY/PATHOLOGY  Female  Human  HIV
       Antigens/ANALYSIS  HIV Seropositivity/COMPLICATIONS
       HIV-1/GENETICS/IMMUNOLOGY  Macrophages/VIROLOGY  Male  Middle Age
       Molecular Sequence Data  Nerve Degeneration
       Oligodendroglia/CHEMISTRY/ULTRASTRUCTURE  Optic
       Nerve/CHEMISTRY/ULTRASTRUCTURE/VIROLOGY  Optic Nerve
       Diseases/PATHOLOGY/*VIROLOGY  Polymerase Chain Reaction  Support,
       Non-U.S. Gov't  Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.  JOURNAL ARTICLE

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).

