Polymerase chain reaction detection of herpes simplex virus in tear fluid from atypical herpetic epithelial keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty.

Tei, M; Nishida, K; Kinoshita, S · Am J Ophthalmol · 1996

case_series · Level IV

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Abstract

We investigated the efficacy of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in diagnosing atypical epithelial keratitis after a penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) for herpetic corneal scarring. We examined three eyes of three patients with keratitis after a PKP for herpetic corneal scarring. The clinical presentation of the keratitis was atypical. DNA extracted from the tears was subjected to PCR and Southern blot hybridization. Herpes simplex virus DNA was identified in all cases of presumptive recurrent herpetic keratitis. Polymerase chain reaction is rapid and effective for diagnosing atypical recurrent herpetic keratitis.

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