[Histopathology of herpetic corneal endotheliitis - a case report].
BACKGROUND
Clinically, corneal endotheliitis is characterized by endothelial cell edema associated with immune precipitates. It is supposed to be triggered by a humoral or cellular immunologic reaction against antigens of the corneal endothelium. As yet, only few histopathologic studies of this disease have been performed.


METHODS
A 42-years-old patient developed a complete corneal nebula with neovascularizations due to relapsing herpetic keratitis. He underwent perforating keratoplasty. The inflammatory infiltrate lining Descemet's membrane and the corneal endothelium consisted mostly of CD 45 R0-positive T-lymphocytes with only few neutrophils, macrophages and CD 20-positive B-lymphocytes. We could not demonstrate any viral particles in the removed corneal tissue by either electron microscopy or using antibodies against Herpes simplex type I or II.


CONCLUSIONS
Histologically, herpetic endotheliitis appears to correspond to corneal endotheliitis due to graft rejection. Complete virus particles are not necessarily required in case of long-standing inflammation and corneal neovascularizations.
Universitäts-Augenklinik Bonn. AVOGEL@UNI-BONN.DE
Antje
A
Vogel
Harriet
H
Schneider
Karin U
KU
Löffler
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004728:Endothelium, Corneal / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007111:Immunity, Cellular / Q000276:immunology; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating; D008297:Male; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000473:pathology*; D012008:Recurrence