title: Viral causes of the acute retinal necrosis syndrome.
abstract: Acute retinal necrosis has been described as a clinical entity for nearly 30 years. Acute retinal necrosis is a potentially visually devastating necrotizing vaso-occlusive retinitis affecting both healthy and immunocompromised patients. Acute retinal necrosis is caused by the herpes group of viruses, mainly varicella zoster, herpes simplex types 1 and 2, and, rarely, cytomegalovirus. Recently, polymerase chain reaction techniques have enabled detection of very small amounts of viral DNA from intra-ocular fluid samples. This can help in both the diagnosis of atypical cases of retinitis and uveitis and directing treatment in cases of acute retinal necrosis.
authors.affiliation: Eye Department, St James's University Hospital, Leeds, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Walters
authors.forename: T E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: James
mesh_terms: D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000150:complications*; D006562:Herpes Zoster / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral