Disciform keratitis: a case of herpes zoster sine herpete.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of disciform keratitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in which varicella-zoster virus was the causative agent.


METHODS
Case report, Polymerase chain reaction-based assays for varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus were used to analyze an aqueous aspirate.


RESULTS
We examined a 41-year-old man with AIDS but without a history of varicella-zoster virus dermatitis who had disciform corneal edema in his left eye. Varicella-zoster virus was detected by a polymerase chain reaction-based assay in the aqueous of the left eye; however, neither cytomegalovirus nor herpes simplex virus DNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction-based assays. The corneal edema slowly resolved while the patient was treated with famciclovir.


CONCLUSIONS
Varicella-zoster virus may cause disciform keratitis without a preceding skin eruption.
Silverstein
B E
BE
Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center 94143-0944, USA.
Chandler
D
D
Neger
R
R
Margolis
T P
TP
D015075:2-Aminopurine / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000328:Adult; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015715:Corneal Edema / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000077595:Famciclovir; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007634:Keratitis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D015075:2-Aminopurine; D000077595:Famciclovir