Stromal keratitis and anterior uveitis due to herpes simplex virus-2 in a young child.

BACKGROUND

An uncommon case of stromal keratitis and anterior uveitis due to herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) is reported.

CASE

The patient was a 3-year-old boy admitted for conjunctival injection of the right eye of unknown cause, accompanied by corneal opacity and anterior uveitis.

OBSERVATIONS

High titers of antibodies against HSV and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) were found in blood samples. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for the detection of HSV-1, -2, and EBV genome fragments was carried out using an anterior chamber sample as a template. An HSV-2 genome fragment was amplified by PCR. Administration of acyclovir and betamethasone was started, with the consequent elimination of corneal opacity, inflammatory cells, and keratic precipitates.

CONCLUSION

PCR clearly showed that HSV-2 was the causative pathogen of the stromal keratitis and anterior uveitis in this young patient. Systemic EVB infection may induce systemic immunocompromised conditions that can lead to reactivation of HSV-2 followed by ocular disorders.