High prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 2 in acute retinal necrosis syndrome associated with herpes simplex virus in Japan.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the type of herpes simplex virus in acute retinal necrosis syndrome associated with herpes simplex virus.


METHODS
Herpes simplex virus type 1, herpes simplex virus type 2, varicella-zoster virus, Epstein-Barr virus, and cytomegalovirus were examined by polymerase chain reaction in intraocular specimens from 16 patients with acute retinal necrosis syndrome. Anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 and anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 type-specific antibodies in serum from the patients were detected by enzyme immunoassay.


RESULTS
Of 16 patients with acute retinal necrosis syndrome, seven were polymerase chain reaction positive for herpes simplex virus type 2 and nine were positive for varicella-zoster virus. Anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody was positive and anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 antibody was negative in the sera of the seven patients with herpes simplex virus type 2 DNA-positive acute retinal necrosis syndrome. In contrast, anti-herpes simplex virus type 2 antibody was absent in all nine varicella-zoster virus DNA-positive acute retinal necrosis syndrome patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Herpes simplex virus type 2 has been demonstrated to be the major causative agent in acute retinal necrosis syndrome associated with herpes simplex virus by molecular biological and serological methods. Negative preexisting anti-herpes simplex virus type 1 antibody may play an important role in acute retinal necrosis syndrome associated with herpes simplex virus type 2.
Itoh
N
N
Department of Ophthalmology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan. taro@med.yokohama-cu.ac.jp
Matsumura
N
N
Ogi
A
A
Nishide
T
T
Imai
Y
Y
Kanai
H
H
Ohno
S
S
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000821:virology; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007564:Japan / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral