MONITORING CMV VIRAL LOADS

本研究的目的是检测正在接受巨细胞病毒视网膜炎筛查或已诊断为巨细胞病毒视网膜炎并正在接受治疗的HIV感染者血液中巨细胞病毒(CMV)的水平。本研究旨在确定三种不同的病毒学检测方法在预测CD_4低于100/mm~3的艾滋病患者巨细胞病毒视网膜炎发展中的敏感性和特异性。其次，在预测接受巨细胞病毒视网膜炎治疗的受试者治疗失败方面，将比较同样的三种检测方法的敏感性和特异性。使用三种不同的实验室测试对无症状受试者进行为期12个月的跟踪调查，测试在基线上进行，然后每三个月进行一次。接受治疗的受试者将在基线时进行跟踪，然后在巨细胞病毒视网膜炎的诱导和维持治疗期间进行跟踪，直到临床诊断治疗失败。

The purpose of this study is to measure the levels of cytomegalovirus (CMV) in the blood of persons with HIV who are being screened for CMV retinitis, or who have been diagnosed with and are receiving treatment for CMV retinitis. This study is to determine the sensitivity and specificity of three different virological assays in predicting the development of CMV retinitis in AIDS patients with CD4 counts below 100/mm3. Secondly, the same three assays will be compared in terms of sensitivity and specificity in predicting treatment failures in subjects undergoing treatment for CMV retinitis. Asymptomatic subjects will be followed, using three different laboratory tests, for twelve months, with tests being performed at baseline and then every three months thereafter. Treated subjects will be followed at baseline, and then during induction and maintenance therapy for CMV retinitis until treatment failure is diagnosed clinically.