Hammer T., Hammer U., Duncker G. I. W., Wilhelm F.

Deparment of Ophthalmology of the Martin-Luther-University Halle- Wittenberg; Magdeburger Str. 8; 06097 Halle/Saale

Background: Herpetic keratitis and related corneal pathologics of this are important indications for penetrating keratoplasty. The postoperative treatment with antiviral drugs has been established in the postoperative therapy. The aim of this investigations was to proof how many removed corneal buttons were infiltrated with virus particles.
Patient and method: 16 corneal buttons obtained after penetrating keratoplasty were included in this investigations. All of these patients were diagnosed on the basis of clinical findings by two experienced ophthalmologists. The removed and parrafin embeded corneal buttons were investigated immunohistochemically by using antibodies against herpes simplex (HSV) I, II and varizella zoster.
Results: 2 of 16 corneal buttons showed a positive reaction to HSV I and 4 of 16 to HSV II. Two of this specimens were positive for HSV I and II.
Conclusion: HSV antigenes were detected only in some of these clinically as herpetic keratitis diagnosted corneas. It is worthwhile to discuss whether a systemic antiviral therapy is really necessary in all clinically suspected herpes cases. In spite of these results the systemic antiviral treatment should be the therapy of choice because of the possibility of false-negative results in immunohistochemical investigations. Viral particles outside of the removed corneal button can endanger the graft.

Copyright © Deutsche Ophthalmologische Gesellschaft, 2001. All rights reserved.

Last updated: 

Webdesign: SPALLEK.COM