A new rapid immunoperoxidase diagnostic staining of herpes simplex virus 1 indolent corneal ulcer

A tear film aspirate, from the lower fornix of a 64-year-old man with the clinical diagnosis of a herpes simplex indolent corneal ulcer, was examined via a new, rapid immunoperoxidase staining technique. This 4-hour modified immunoperoxidase stain is both sensitive and specific for herpes simplex virus type 1. The corneal epithelial cells shed in the tear film from the indolent ulcer were strongly positive for herpes simplex type 1 viral antigen using this new technique. This case report supports the theory that the pathogenesis of indolent herpetic corneal ulcers involves both a hypersensitivity response to viral antigen and an active viral infection.