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Br J Ophthalmol 1999;83:957-960 doi:10.1136/bjo.83.8.957
  • Original Article
    • Laboratory science

Detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in atypical epithelial keratitis using polymerase chain reaction

  1. Noriko Koizumia,
  2. Kohji Nishidaa,
  3. Wakako Adachia,
  4. Mamoru Teia,
  5. Yoichi Honmaa,
  6. Atsuyoshi Dotaa,
  7. Chie Sotozonoa,
  8. Norihiko Yokoia,
  9. Shuji Yamamotob,
  10. Shigeru Kinoshitaa
  1. aDepartment of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Japan, bDepartment of Ophthalmology, Osaka University Medical School, Japan
  1. Noriko Koizumi, MD, Department of Ophthalmology, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachi-hirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-0841, Japan.
  • Accepted 26 April 1999

Abstract

AIM To study herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA in tears from patients with atypical epithelial keratitis of unknown aetiology.

METHODS Tear samples were collected from 17 affected eyes of 17 consecutive patients suffering from epithelial keratitis in whom HSV keratitis was suspected but whose diagnosis was difficult on the basis of clinical manifestations alone. Using reduced sensitivity polymerase chain reaction (PCR), tear samples were tested for HSV DNA. Tears from the unaffected eyes of the 17 patients were also examined, along with 38 tear samples from 19 normal volunteers. Southern blot analysis was performed to confirm that amplified DNA bands were specific for HSV. Clinical correlation with photographs of corneal lesions was also investigated.

RESULTS HSV DNA was detected in tears from the affected eyes of eight of the 17 patients with suspected HSV keratitis. Tears from the affected eyes of the other patients were PCR negative, as were tears from the unaffected eyes of all 17 patients, and from the 38 normal eyes. There was no correlation between PCR results and clinical manifestation of keratitis.

CONCLUSIONS Based on the sensitivity of the PCR system, eight of 17 suspected HSV keratitis patients were confirmed as suffering from HSV keratitis. HSV keratitis should therefore be considered as a possible diagnosis in atypical epithelial keratitis.

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