Ocular flora of patients with AIDS compared with those of HIV-negative patients

Purpose. To determine whether there are quantitative or qualitative differences in the ocular flora of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) compared with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-negative patients. Methods. Forty patients with AIDS and 42 HIV-negative controls were sex and age matched. All subjects had a detailed anterior segment examination, including Schirmer's test, rose bengal staining, and quantitative cultures of the conjunctiva and lids. Statistical evaluation of the relation between AIDS, keratoconjunctivitis sicca (KCS), and ocular flora was performed. Results. No differences were observed in the types or numbers of organisms isolated from the conjunctiva or lids of patients with AIDS and HIV-negative subjects. Ocular flora was not influenced by use of systemic antibiotics, level of immunosuppression as measured by CD4 lymphocyte counts, KCS, or other ocular-surface disease. One AIDS patient was colonized by large numbers of Haemophilus influenzae OU with minimal clinical signs of inflammation or infection. Conclusion. There do not appear to be any differences in the ocular flora of HIV-negative patients and patients with AIDS. Presence of KCS and level of immunosuppression do not appear to affect the ocular flora in patients with AIDS.