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


CONCLUSIONS
Hepatitis B virus DNA can be demonstrated in the tears of carriers, even those who were asymptomatic.
Su
C S
CS
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Melbourne, Australia.
Bowden
S
S
Fong
L P
LP
Taylor
H R
HR
D001483:Base Sequence; D002353:Carrier State / Q000382:microbiology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000382:microbiology; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D013666:Tears / Q000382:microbiology*
D004279:DNA, Viral