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HSV2 acute retinal necrosis: diagnosis and monitoring with quantitative polymerase chain reaction

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Abstract

Purpose To describe a case of HSV2 acute retinal necrosis (ARN) diagnosed and monitored with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in ocular fluids. Design Case report. Methods Quantitative PCR was performed in the aqueous humor (AH) and vitreous using primers specific for herpes virus. Results A positive PCR was found for HSV2 in the AH (>100,000,000 viral copies − 8.00 log/ml). After therapy, another anterior chamber tap showed a reduction of the viral load at 4.28 log/ml (19205 copies), confirming the efficacy of the treatment. After six months, PCR on the vitreous still showed the presence of HSV2 viral particles in the eye (3.14 log DNA copies/ml, 1379 copies) although the lesion was healed. Conclusions This case demonstrates that PCR is useful to detect viral DNA in AH and vitreous and to monitor viral activity and therapeutic response. Viral DNA persists in ocular fluids for months in the presence of a healed infection.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinique d’Ophtalmologie-Uveitis Department, Hôpitaux Universitaires de Genève, Rue Alcide-Jentzer, 22, 1205, Geneva, Switzerland

    L. Cottet & E. Baglivo

  2. Laboratoire central de virologie, Service des maladies infectieuses HUG, 1211, Geneve 14, Switzerland

    L. Kaiser

  3. Division of Molecular Diagnostics, Clinical and Transplantation Virology, Institute for Medical Microbiology, Petersplatz 10, 4003, Basel, Switzerland

    H. H. Hirsch

Authors
  1. L. Cottet
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  2. L. Kaiser
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  3. H. H. Hirsch
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  4. E. Baglivo
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Correspondence to E. Baglivo.

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Cottet, L., Kaiser, L., Hirsch, H.H. et al. HSV2 acute retinal necrosis: diagnosis and monitoring with quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Int Ophthalmol 29, 199–201 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-008-9198-2

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10792-008-9198-2

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