Herpes simplex virus type 2: a cause of acute retinal necrosis syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARN) in a 13-year-old immunocompetent girl.


METHODS
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR), cultures, flow cytometry, and cytology were performed on the vitreous sample.


RESULTS
Both PCR studies and vitreous cultures revealed HSV-2 as the cause of ARN. Flow cytometry showed CD4+, CD8+, and natural killer cells. The visual outcome of the patient was 20/200.


CONCLUSIONS
Successful culture of HSV-2 from the vitreous specimen in a patient with ARN proved HSV-2 to be one of the causes of ARN. The successful culture of HSV-2 has not been previously reported.
Markomichelakis
N N
NN
Department of Ophthalmology, General Hospital of Athens, Athens Medical School, Athens, Greece. marnik@otenet.gr
Zafirakis
P
P
Karambogia-Karefillidi
P
P
Drakoulis
N
N
Vagiakou-Boudri
E
E
Paterakis
G
G
Apostolopoulos
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D018414:CD8-Positive T-Lymphocytes / Q000276:immunology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005434:Flow Cytometry; D006558:Herpes Genitalis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007694:Killer Cells, Natural / Q000276:immunology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012163:Retinal Detachment / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000821:virology; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014792:Visual Acuity; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000821:virology
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral; D007075:Immunoglobulin M