Discontinuation of maintenance therapy for cytomegalovirus retinitis in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

Objective: To study the safety of discontinuing cytomegalovirus (CMV) maintenance therapy among patients with cured CMV retinitis receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).

Methods: Patients with a history of CMV retinitis who were receiving anti-CMV maintenance therapy and who had a CD4 cell count > 75 x 10(6) cells/l and a plasma HIV RNA level < 30000 copies/ml while on HAART were included in a multicentre prospective study. Maintenance therapy for CMV retinitis was discontinued at enrolment and all the patients were monitored for 48 weeks by ophthalmological examinations and by determination of CMV markers, CD4 cell counts and plasma HIV RNA levels.