Failure to detect hepatitis B virus in vitreous by polymerase chain reaction.
OBJECTIVE
To assay the vitreous of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers for the presence of HBV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR).


METHODS
Vitreous and serum specimens were collected from 13 carriers of HBV. The presence of HBV DNA was investigated by using PCR and Digene's Hybrid Capture System. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in vitreous was also investigated by using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA).


RESULTS
The serum was positive for HBV DNA in3 of the 13 asymptomatic carriers using PCR. Vitreous samples of all the patients, including 3 patients who were positive for HBV DNA in serum, were negative for HBV DNA with PCR and were negative for HBsAg with EIA.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence of HBV in the vitreous of asymptomatic HBV carriers.
Aras
Cengiz
C
Department of Ophthalmology, Cerrahpasa Medical Faculty, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Turkey. drcaras@superonline.com
Ozdamar
Akif
A
Ergin
Sevgi
S
Ozturk
Recep
R
Midilli
Kenan
K
Karacorlu
Murat
M
Ozkan
Sehirbay
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D001769:Blood / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens / Q000032:analysis; D006515:Hepatitis B virus / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014822:Vitreous Body / Q000821:virology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D004279:DNA, Viral; D006514:Hepatitis B Surface Antigens