Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 10, 2026
07:55
Ex Vivo Organotypic Corneal Model of Acute Epithelial Herpes Simplex Virus Type I Infection
Published on: November 3, 2012
Herpes simplex keratitis in renal transplant recipients
Canadian Medical Association Journal
|February 1, 1981
Summary
Herpes simplex epithelial keratitis can occur in renal transplant patients on immunosuppressants. Early eye consultation is crucial for prompt diagnosis and management to prevent vision loss.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Nephrology
- Immunology
Background:
- Renal transplant recipients often require high-dose systemic corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapy.
- These treatments can compromise the immune system, increasing susceptibility to opportunistic infections.
Observation:
- Four renal transplant recipients developed herpes simplex epithelial keratitis.
- The patients were undergoing high-dose corticosteroid and immunosuppressive therapy.
- Ocular presentations were atypical in all cases.
Findings:
- Two cases experienced protracted disease courses.
- Corneal scarring and opacification led to some visual loss in two patients.
- Herpes simplex virus reactivation is a potential complication in immunocompromised transplant patients.
Implications:
- Prompt ophthalmologic consultation is vital for immunocompromised patients with any ocular symptoms.
- Early intervention may prevent severe visual impairment from opportunistic ocular infections.
- This highlights the importance of vigilant monitoring for ocular complications in transplant recipients.
Related Concept Videos
01:28Kidney Transplant I: Introduction
A kidney transplant is a surgical approach that involves replacing a non-functioning kidney with a healthy one from a donor. This procedure is often a treatment option for end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients. The method requires careful recipient selection, including evaluating various medical and psychosocial factors. These criteria vary between transplant centers but generally include assessments of the patient's overall health, adherence to medical recommendations, and lifestyle...
01:26Kidney Transplant II: Surgical Procedure
Preoperative ManagementThe primary goals of preoperative management in kidney transplantation are to optimize the patient’s metabolic state and prepare them for surgery through diet adjustments, necessary dialysis, and tailored medical treatment. This phase also involves comprehensive infection screening and patient education about the surgical procedure and postoperative care to improve outcomes and adherence.Medical ManagementA comprehensive evaluation is required for both the living donor...
01:16Kidney Transplant III: Nursing Management
Postoperative Nursing Management for Kidney Transplant PatientsPostoperative nursing management care includes monitoring the surgical site, encouraging early movement, and promoting lung health through breathing exercises. Nurses also administer prescribed medications like H2-blockers, such as famotidine, or proton pump inhibitors, like omeprazole, to help prevent gastrointestinal ulcers and bleeding. Fungal infections in the mouth and bladder can result from immunosuppressive and antibiotic...
01:28Herpes
Herpes simplex type 1 (HSV‑1) is a widespread pathogen responsible for orolabial lesions. It is an enveloped, double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) virus belonging to the family Herpesviridae. Once the virus infects a host cell, its double‑stranded DNA genome is delivered into the nucleus, where a coordinated cascade of immediate‑early, early, and late gene expression directs viral DNA replication, structural protein synthesis, and virion assembly. After primary infection of epithelial cells, HSV-1...
01:27Cytomegalovirus Disease
Cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease is caused by human cytomegalovirus, a double-stranded DNA virus of the Herpesviridae family. While primary CMV infection is often asymptomatic in immunocompetent individuals, the virus can cause severe disease in neonates and immunocompromised patients. CMV is the most common cause of congenital viral infection in the United States, and a major pathogen in solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.CMV is transmitted via bodily fluids, sexual...
01:23Genital Herpes
Genital herpes is a sexually transmitted infection primarily caused by herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), though herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is increasingly implicated in genital infections, particularly among younger populations. Transmission occurs mainly through sexual contact, with asymptomatic viral shedding serving as a major route of spread. This characteristic makes HSV-2 difficult to control at a population level, as individuals may unknowingly transmit the virus even in the...