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Polymerase Chain Reaction Detection of Viral DNA and a Role for Antiviral Therapy

Deborah Pavan-Langston, MD; Shuji Yamamoto, MD; Edmund C. Dunkel, PhD

Arch Ophthalmol. 1995;113(11):1381-1385.

Abstract
Background
The late-onset pseudodendrites, delayed corneal mucous plaques, of herpes zoster ophthalmicus are reported to be of mechanical or immune origin and to be worsened by antiviral therapy.

Objective
To study pseudodendrites to ascertain a viral presence in the lesions and their response to antiviral therapy.

Design
Prospective clinical study.

Setting
Outpatient and inpatient hospital-based corneal specialty referral practice; molecular virology laboratory.

Patients
Six patients, aged 33 to 89 years, four with delayed herpes zoster ophthalmicus pseudodendrites and two with herpes zoster ophthalmicus neurotrophic ulceration. One patient was immunosuppressed.

Main Outcome Measures
Findings from clinical evaluation; polymerase chain reaction assays of lesions and tear film of six patients; polymerase chain reaction and light and electron microscopy of the corneal button from one patient; and the clinical response of four patients to various antiviral drugs.

Results
In contrast to reports in the current literature, delayed pseudodendrites may also be infectious, as they are positive for zoster DNA by polymerase chain reaction and appear responsive to certain antiviral therapy. The corneal button from an immunosuppressed patient had mature and immature viral particles in the basal cells within 2 weeks of transplantation.

Conclusions
To our knowledge, this is the first report of viral DNA in delayed zoster pseudodendrites. Recurrent viral infection may play a role in this form of zoster keratopathy and warrant antiviral therapy.

Author Affiliations
From the Departments of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass (Drs Pavan-Langston, Yamamoto, and Dunkel) and Osaka (Japan) University Medical School (Dr Yamamoto), Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Boston (Drs Pavan-Langston and Yamamoto), and Schepens Eye Research Institute, Boston (Drs Pavan-Langston, Yamamoto, and Dunkel). The authors and their families have no commercial or proprietary interest in any drug or company mentioned in this article.

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