[Activation of a herpetic infection via corneal transplantation]

Activation of herpes infection in keratoplasty was studied in 26 patients and found to be caused both by operative intervention and the corresponding corticosteroid therapy. The fluorescent antibody technique proved to be the most effective and rapid test for the detection of herpes infection. It is recommended to carry out laboratory control in transplantation of the cornea as well as topical antiviral therapy in the postoperation period not only in patients with herpetic keratitis but also in the subjects operated on for nonspecific leukoma and other diseases of the cornea.