Experimental laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis induces the reactivation of latent herpes simplex virus.
OBJECTIVE
We determined whether laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis acts as a trigger for the reactivation and ocular shedding of herpes simplex virus type-1 in a rabbit latency model.


METHODS
Herpes simplex virus type-1 latently infected rabbits were divided into three treatment groups: Group I received surface excimer laser ablation in both eyes (positive control), Group II received laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis in both eyes, and Group III received no treatment (negative control). Eyes were cultured daily for 10 days to determine herpes simplex virus type-1 reactivation.


RESULTS
The number of herpes simplex virus type-1 positive eye cultures and total herpes simplex virus type-1 shedding days were significantly greater after surface excimer laser ablation and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis compared with the untreated control group (P < 0.002 and P < 0.000001, respectively).


CONCLUSIONS
Laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis as well as surface excimer laser ablation act as a trigger for the reactivation of herpes simplex virus type-1 in the rabbit latency model.
Dhaliwal
D K
DK
Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15213, USA. dhaliwaldk@msx.upmc.edu
Romanowski
E G
EG
Yates
K A
KA
Hu
D
D
Goldstein
M
M
Gordon
Y J
YJ
D000818:Animals; D003315:Cornea / Q000601:surgery / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000254:growth & development*; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000209:etiology* / Q000821:virology; D020731:Keratomileusis, Laser In Situ / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011817:Rabbits; D014775:Virus Activation; D014776:Virus Cultivation; D017735:Virus Latency