Retinal perivasculitis in an immunocompetent patient with systemic herpes simplex infection.

Chatzoulis, D M; Theodosiadis, P G; Apostolopoulos, M N; Drakoulis, N; Markomichelakis, N N · Am J Ophthalmol · 1997

case_report · Level V

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Abstract

To describe a case of retinal perivasculitis in an immunocompetent patient with systemic herpes simplex infection. Polymerase chain reaction amplifications were performed for aqueous and blood samples using primers specific for the following members of the herpesvirus family: cytomegalovirus, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes simplex virus (types 1 and 2), and varicella-zoster virus. The patient was placed on intravenous acyclovir and systemic corticosteroids. A positive polymerase chain reaction signal was found only for herpes simplex virus type 1. Vision in the left eye improved from light perception to 20/25, and signs of retinal perivasculitis resolved. The use of molecular diagnostic modalities in clinical practice may aid in determining infectious etiologies in patients with atypical clinical manifestations.

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