Herpes simplex virus keratitis: histopathologic neovascularization and corneal allograft failure.
OBJECTIVE
To identify whether histopathologic presence of neovascularization is predictive for allograft failure following penetrating keratoplasty for herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis.


METHODS
Retrospective, interventional case series of 62 consecutive patients with HSV keratitis who underwent penetrating keratoplasty at the Kellogg Eye Center between 1990 and 2000. Reviews of the patients' clinical charts and the histopathologic slides of their excised corneal buttons were performed to identify associations between histopathologic neovascularization and clinical outcomes.


METHODS
To determine whether histopathologic presence of neovascularization predicts allograft failure.


RESULTS
Histopathologic presence of neovascularization was present in 31% of corneal specimens and predicted subsequent allograft failure (P = 0.002) and HSV recurrence (P = 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Histopathologic presence of neovascularization is a risk factor for corneal allograft failure and HSV recurrence.
Garcia
Denise D
DD
Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48105, USA.
Shtein
Roni M
RM
Musch
David C
DC
Elner
Victor M
VM
D000212:Acyclovir / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000998:Antiviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016510:Corneal Neovascularization / Q000209:etiology*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005260:Female; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006084:Graft Rejection / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D016849:Keratitis, Herpetic / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery*; D015948:Keratoplasty, Penetrating / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D014184:Transplantation, Homologous
D000998:Antiviral Agents; D005938:Glucocorticoids; D011239:Prednisolone; D000212:Acyclovir