Stromal keratitis and anterior uveitis due to herpes simplex virus-2 in a young child.
BACKGROUND
An uncommon case of stromal keratitis and anterior uveitis due to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is reported.


METHODS
The patient was a 3-year-old boy admitted for conjunctival injection of the right eye of unknown cause, accompanied by corneal opacity and anterior uveitis.


METHODS
High titers of antibodies against HSV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were found in blood samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of HSV-1, -2, and EBV genome fragments was carried out using an anterior chamber sample as a template. An HSV-2 genome fragment was amplified by PCR. Administration of acyclovir and betamethasone was started, with the consequent elimination of corneal opacity, inflammatory cells, and keratic precipitates.


CONCLUSIONS
PCR clearly showed that HSV-2 was the causative pathogen of the stromal keratitis and anterior uveitis in this young patient. Systemic EVB infection may induce systemic immunocompromised conditions that can lead to reactivation of HSV-2 followed by ocular disorders.
Inoda
S
S
Department of Ophthalmology, Kitasato University, Sagamihara, Kanagawa, Japan.
Wakakura
M
M
Hirata
J
J
Nakazato
N
N
Toyo-Oka
Y
Y
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001623:Betamethasone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003319:Corneal Stroma / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D018258:Herpesvirus 2, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D008297:Male; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014606:Uveitis, Anterior / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014775:Virus Activation
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D001623:Betamethasone; D000212:Acyclovir