Herpes simplex keratitis: a clinico-pathologic case report

Area of Science:

• Ophthalmology
• Virology
• Pathology

Background:

• Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is a significant cause of infectious blindness worldwide.
• Accurate and timely diagnosis is crucial for effective treatment and preventing vision loss.
• Traditional diagnostic methods like histochemistry can sometimes be inconclusive.

Observation:

• This case report details a patient with suspected herpes simplex keratitis.
• Routine histochemical staining provided ambiguous results, hindering a definitive diagnosis.
• The corneal tissue was further examined using advanced imaging techniques.

Findings:

• Electron microscopy revealed characteristic herpes simplex virus (HSV) particles within the corneal stromal cells.
• The presence of viral particles confirmed the diagnosis of HSK.
• This highlights the limitations of conventional methods in certain HSK cases.

Implications:

• Electron microscopy serves as a valuable tool for diagnosing challenging cases of herpes simplex keratitis.
• This case underscores the importance of utilizing advanced diagnostic modalities when routine methods fail.
• Improved diagnostic accuracy can lead to prompt and appropriate antiviral therapy, preserving visual function.