title: Virus-induced chalazion.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate a viral etiology in certain chalazia.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective study over 7.5 years of all newly presenting chalazia associated with diffuse follicular conjunctivitis but without any other aetiological factors. Patients were investigated for ocular or systemic infections by history, physical exam, slit-lamp exam, and/or histology of conjunctival biopsy (including transmission electron microscopy).
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 27 patients developed follicular conjunctivitis without meibomian gland dysfunction, blepharitis, or sexually transmitted diseases. Evidence for a viral aetiology included: recent systemic viral illness (15/27), recent contact with subjects with chalazia or follicular conjunctivitis (5/27), preauricular lymphadenopathy (4/27), viral corneal disease (4/27), or viral particles by ultrastructure (4/4).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chalazia may be associated with viral conjunctivitis. Intralesional corticosteroids should be considered with great caution for viral-induced chalazia.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon. dr.ahmad@cyberia.net.lb
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mansour
authors.forename: C-C
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Chan
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Crawford
authors.forename: Z A
authors.initials: ZA
authors.lastname: Tabbarah
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shen
authors.forename: W F
authors.initials: WF
authors.lastname: Haddad
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Salti
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Ghazi
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D017043:Chalazion / Q000473:pathology / Q000821:virology*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008537:Meibomian Glands / Q000648:ultrastructure; D008855:Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies