Herpes simplex virus and pterygium in Taiwan.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in pterygia to study the possible association between HSV and pterygia in Taiwan, a tropical country with a high prevalence of pterygium.


METHODS
Sixty-five pterygia, 10 normal conjunctiva, 8 conjunctival nevi, and 2 malignant conjunctival melanomas were obtained. Clinical histories were recorded for each patient. HSV detection was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction amplification of viral sequences. HSV-positive specimens underwent subsequent DNA in situ hybridization. Results were statistically analyzed.


RESULTS
By using polymerase chain reaction, HSV was detected in 3 (5%) pterygia, and no conjunctival control displayed HSV. All 3 HSV-positive pterygia studies were DNA in situ hybridization negative. There was no statistically significant correlation between pterygium and the presence of HSV.


CONCLUSIONS
HSV is not associated with pterygium formation in Taiwan; the pathogenesis of pterygia is still incompletely understood.
Chen
Yeong-Fong
YF
Department of Ophthalmology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taipei, Taiwan. a10429@adm.cgmh.org.tw
Hsiao
Ching-Hsi
CH
Ngan
Kah-Wai
KW
Yeung
Ling
L
Tan
Hsin-Yuan
HY
Yang
Kai-Hsiang
KH
Huang
Samuel Chao-Ming
SC
Lin
Ken-Kuo
KK
D003230:Conjunctival Neoplasms / Q000821:virology; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D015828:Eye Infections, Viral / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005260:Female; D006561:Herpes Simplex / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D018259:Herpesvirus 1, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000821:virology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009508:Nevus, Pigmented / Q000821:virology; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D011625:Pterygium / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology
D004279:DNA, Viral