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[Primary herpetic infection after transfixing keratoplasty]
F Rasquin1, P Demols, M Schrooyen
1Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Erasme, ULB.
Bulletin De La Societe Belge D'Ophtalmologie
|November 12, 1998
Summary
A corneal transplant patient developed herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection post-surgery. Investigations suggest transmission via viral reactivation, the transplant itself, or external contamination.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Corneal transplantation is a common procedure for treating corneal diseases.
- Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections can affect the cornea, leading to serious complications.
- Primary HSV infection post-keratoplasty is rare but clinically significant.
Observation:
- A patient undergoing corneal transplantation for Fuchs dystrophy presented with a flu-like illness and keratouveitis 10 days post-operation.
- Diagnostic workup included viral serology for both donor and recipient, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis of aqueous humor.
Findings:
- The recipient showed seroconversion indicative of a primary herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) infection.
- HSV-1 nucleic acids were detected in the recipient's aqueous humor.
- The donor's corneal tissue tested negative for HSV antibodies.
Implications:
- This case highlights potential transmission routes of HSV following corneal transplantation.
- Possible transmission pathways include recipient's latent HSV reactivation, HSV presence within the donor cornea, or external contamination.
- Understanding transmission routes is crucial for preventing post-keratoplasty HSV infections.