Human herpesviruses in the cornea

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology 2000-06, Vol.84 (6), p.563-571
• Main Authors: Kaye, Stephen B, Baker, Kevin, Bonshek, Richard, Maseruka, Henry, Grinfeld, Esther, Tullo, Andrew, Easty, David L, Hart, Colin A
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Antigens; Carrier State - virology; cornea; Cornea - virology; Cytomegalovirus; Cytomegalovirus - isolation & purification; Deoxyribonucleic acid; DNA; Gene expression; Genomes; Herpes viruses; Herpesvirus 1, Human - isolation & purification; Herpesvirus 3, Human - isolation & purification; Herpesvirus 4, Human - isolation & purification; HIV; human herpesviruses; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; In Situ Hybridization; Infections; Keratitis, Herpetic - diagnosis; Keratitis, Herpetic - virology; Keratoplasty, Penetrating; Laboratories; Original articles - Clinical science; Patients; Polymerase chain reaction; Polymerase Chain Reaction - methods; Reoperation; Sensitivity and Specificity; Transplants & implants
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.84.6.563

AIMS To determine the sensitivity and specificity of culture, immunohistochemistry (IHC), the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and in situ hybridisation (ISH) for detecting herpes simplex virus (HSV-1) in the cornea of patients undergoing penetrating keratoplasty. To compare the incidence of HSV-1 in the cornea with that of varicella zoster virus (VZV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). METHODS The corneas of 110 patients, 52 with a documented history of herpes keratitis (HSK) and 58 with non-herpetic corneal disease, were investigated using IHC, PCR, ISH, and culture. RESULTS HSV-1 DNA and antigen were detected in 82% and 74% respectively, of corneas of patients with HSK and in 22% and 15% of corneas of patients with no history of HSK. The sensitivity of PCR and IHC was 82% and 74% with a specificity of 78% and 85%, respectively. HSV-1 DNA and antigen were found more frequently and in increased amounts in corneas of patients with a short interval between their last attack of HSK and surgery. There was a good correlation between PCR and IHC in 71%. HSV-1 was isolated by culture in 2%. Latency associated transcripts were not detected using ISH. Evidence of VZV DNA or antigen was found significantly more frequently in the corneas of patients with a history of HSK (p