Detection of hepatitis B virus DNA in tears by polymerase chain reaction

C S Su¹, S Bowden, L P Fong

¹Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.

Archives of Ophthalmology (Chicago, Ill. : 1960)

|May 1, 1994

Abstract

Objective:

To assess the possibility of transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) via tears.

Methods:

Tear and plasma specimens were collected from 36 carriers of HBV, and the presence of HBV DNA was investigated using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR).

Results:

Ten (29.4%) of the 34 carriers of chronic HBV and one of the two patients with acute hepatitis B had plasma specimens that were positive for HBV DNA using PCR. Sixteen (47.1%) of the 34 carriers of chronic HBV had tear specimens that were repeatedly positive for HBV DNA using PCR, 10 (29.4%) had tear specimens that were repeatedly negative, and the remaining eight (23.5%) had tear specimens that were equivocal. Both of the patients with acute hepatitis B had tear specimens that were positive for HBV DNA using PCR.

Conclusion:

Hepatitis B virus DNA can be demonstrated in the tears of carriers, even those who were asymptomatic.