title: Chronic recurrent varicella-zoster virus keratitis confirmed by polymerase chain reaction testing.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report a case of chronic recurrent varicella virus epithelial keratitis in a child.
  
  
  METHODS
  Case report.
  
  
  METHODS
  Clinical examination and polymerase chain reaction analysis of corneal epithelium.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A 10-year-old healthy child developed chronic recurrent varicella virus keratitis with pseudodendrites after recovering from systemic varicella. Analysis of the debrided pseudodendrites was repeatedly positive for VZV DNA and negative for HSV DNA. Treatment with oral acyclovir and topical corticosteroid drops was effective in eliminating the pseudodendrites; however, recurrences occurred once the medications were discontinued.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Varicella virus epithelial keratitis in children can be a recurrent chronic condition requiring prolonged treatment.
authors.affiliation: Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California-San Francisco, San Francisco, CA 94143-0944, USA. tm@magones.com
authors.forename: M Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Magone
authors.forename: Robert E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Nasser
authors.forename: A Vicky
authors.initials: AV
authors.lastname: Cevallos
authors.forename: Todd P
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Margolis
mesh_terms: D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D019573:Epithelium, Corneal / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006563:Herpes Zoster Ophthalmicus / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D007635:Keratitis, Dendritic / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000821:virology*; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D000998:Antiviral Agents; D004279:DNA, Viral; D000212:Acyclovir