title: Varicella-zoster viral antigen identified in iridocyclitis patient.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The varicella-zoster virus (VZV) antigen has not been identified immunohistologically in iridocyclitis due to VZV.
  
  
  METHODS
  A 65-year-old woman diagnosed with iridocyclitis and secondary glaucoma underwent trabeculectomy. Samples of aqueous humor and juxtacanalicular and iris tissue were obtained for immunohistological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Slit-lamp microscopy revealed ciliary injection, corneal epithelial edema, mutton fat precipitates, flare, cells, and progressive iris atrophy in the right eye. Subsequently, scant eruptions on her right upper eyelid appeared and disappeared within a week. Although a diagnostic increase in the complement fixation antibody titer to VZV was not observed, we started medical treatment for VZV, on suspicion of iridocyclitis due to VZV. Despite medical treatment, the ratio of peripheral anterior synechia was greater than 60% and iris atrophy progressed in parallel. The intraocular pressure in the right eye remained above 30 mm Hg at 6 months after the first visit, so trabeculectomy was performed. VZV-specific DNA was detected in the aqueous humor by the PCR study. Immunohistological examination demonstrated numerous VZV antigen-positive cells in the iris stroma, in particular, vascular endothelial cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  To our knowledge, this is the first report of the detection of VZV antigen in the iris of an iridocyclitis patient.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Nihon University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nakashizuka
authors.forename: Yoshio
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yamazaki
authors.forename: Motoki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tokumaru
authors.forename: Tairo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kimura
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D001082:Aqueous Humor / Q000821:virology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D019084:Fluorescent Antibody Technique, Indirect; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D015863:Iridocyclitis / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D007498:Iris / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral