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Keratoconjunctivitis by confocal microscopy after topical cyclosporine
M Nebbioso1, G Belcaro, C Komaiha
1Department of Sense Organs, Centre Ocular Electrophysiology, Sapienza University of Rome, Italy - marcella.nebbioso@uniroma1.it.
Panminerva Medica
|November 10, 2012
Summary
Confocal microscopy revealed unique rosette-shaped keratocyte changes in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. Topical cyclosporine effectively resolved these subepithelial immune activations within weeks.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Microscopy
- Virology
Background:
- Adenoviral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis can cause corneal stromal changes.
- Subepithelial infiltrates are a common manifestation of this viral infection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To document corneal stromal alterations during epidemic keratoconjunctivitis using confocal microscopy.
- To evaluate the effect of topical cyclosporine on these changes.
Main Methods:
- Confocal microscopy (40x, Nidek ConfoScan 4) was used to examine the corneal stroma.
- A case study of a 16-year-old boy with bilateral epidemic keratoconjunctivitis was analyzed.
- Observations were made before and after treatment with topical cyclosporine 1%.
Main Results:
- Highly reflective, fusiform cells in a rosette disposition were observed in the corneal stroma two weeks post-onset.
- These unique cellular changes, potentially indicative of immune activation, resolved after 30 days of topical cyclosporine treatment.
- Resolution was maintained at a five-month follow-up.
Conclusions:
- Confocal microscopy can visualize localized immune activation in the corneal subepithelial layer during epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
- Topical cyclosporine appears effective in resolving these microscopy-observed stromal changes.
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