[Cytomegalovirus infection in children with endogenous uveitis].

A total of 405 children aged 3 months to 15 years with uveitis of different origin and localization and 50 mothers of children with intrauterine uveitis were tested for cytomegaloviruses (CMV). Chronic CMV infection was detected in 79% children and 88% mothers. Active CMV infection was diagnosed in 7.1% children with various clinical forms of uveitis; it was somewhat more frequent in cases with grave posterior uveitis and panuveitis complicated by detachment of the retina and vitreous fibrosis. Anti-CMV IgG antibodies indicate an infection, but their detection is insufficient for identifying the etiology of uveitis. Active CMV infection can be a cause of uveitis or aggravate uveitis of another etiology and favor the development of postoperative complications. In many cases active CMV infection was detected in children during remission without clinical signs of uveitis activity. Individual analysis of clinical laboratory data is needed for each patient in order to evaluate the etiological and pathogenetic role of active CMV infection.