Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in tears by polymerase chain reaction
C. S. Su, S. Bowden, L. P. Fong and H. R. Taylor
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
OBJECTIVE: To assess the possibility of transmission of hepatitis B virus
(HBV) via tears. METHODS: Tear and plasma specimens were collected from 36
carriers of HBV, and the presence of HBV DNA was investigated using the
polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Ten (29.4%) of the 34 carriers of
chronic HBV and one of the two patients with acute hepatitis B had plasma
specimens that were positive for HBV DNA using PCR. Sixteen (47.1%) of the
34 carriers of chronic HBV had tear specimens that were repeatedly positive
for HBV DNA using PCR, 10 (29.4%) had tear specimens that were repeatedly
negative, and the remaining eight (23.5%) had tear specimens that were
equivocal. Both of the patients with acute hepatitis B had tear specimens
that were positive for HBV DNA using PCR. CONCLUSION: Hepatitis B virus DNA
can be demonstrated in the tears of carriers, even those who were
asymptomatic.
