[Herpes simplex virus type 1 acute retinal necrosis two years after presumably herpetic meningoencephalitis].
METHODS
We report the case of a 53-year-old woman with uveitis in her right eye. She suffered from meningoencephalitis two years before. In the ophthalmic examination she showed no light perception, mild anterior uveitis and severe vitritis, which prevented from visualizing the retina. We suspected herpetic acute retinal necrosis (ARN), so therapy with intravenous acyclovir was started and a diagnostic vitrectomy was performed. Peripheral retinal necrosis and pallor of the optic disc were observed. PCR of the vitreous was positive for herpes simplex virus type I.


CONCLUSIONS
This is probably a case of brain-to-eye virus transmission. According to this, the ARN would support the etiologic suspicion of the previous encephalitis.
Díaz De Durana Santa Coloma
E
E
Hospital de Galdácano, Servicio Vasco de Salud-Osakidetza, Vizcaya, España.
Vázquez Cruchaga
E
E
Salazar Díez
J L
JL
López Garrido
J A
JA
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001766:Blindness / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D020803:Encephalitis, Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015882:Retinal Necrosis Syndrome, Acute / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000821:virology
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000212:Acyclovir