Related Experiment Videos
Infection of the corneal endothelium in herpes simplex keratitis
L M Holbach1, N Asano, G O Naumann
1Department of Ophthalmology and Eye Hospital, University Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany. Leonard.Holbach@augen.med.uni-erlangen.de
Purpose:
To describe viral infection of the corneal endothelium in a patient with recurrent herpes simplex virus keratitis in the corneal graft.
Methods:
Case report. A healthy 28-year-old man presented with necrotizing stromal keratitis and corneal perforation in the corneal graft. A second penetrating keratoplasty was performed. The corneal button was processed for histopathologic, immunohistochemical, and electron microscopic studies.
Results:
Histopathologically, the corneal endothelium showed viral inclusion bodies. Herpes simplex virus antigens and viral particles were identified in stromal keratocytes and corneal endothelial cells.
Conclusion:
Productive herpes simplex virus infection of the corneal endothelial cells may contribute to corneal graft failure in recurrent herpes simplex virus infections.