Findings in detection of Herpesviridae by polymerase chain reaction and intraocular antibody production in a case series of anterior uveitis.

PURPOSE

To target the use of two biologic tests in the diagnostic of viral Herpesviridae anterior uveitis (AC) by the consideration of clinical behavior and delay of intraocular sampling.

METHODS

Aqueous humor samples were collected from 42 patients suspected of having AU of infectious origin at presentation. The diagnosis of infectious uveitis was confirmed by quantification of antibodies with the Goldmann-Witmer coefficient (GWC) and/or detection of Herpesviridae genomes with PCR. The data were compared with data of 16 uveitis control samples used to calculate the specificity of the tests.

RESULTS

Sixteen out of 42 eyes (38%) had a final diagnosis of anterior segment infectious uveitis of viral origin (Herpesviridae) confirmed by PCR positive result (5/14 eyes; 14 of the 16 eyes were tested by PCR) and/or specific intraocular antibody synthesis (14/16 eyes).

CONCLUSIONS

While the GWC is progressively less often performed, these findings suggest that it still has a role in AU suspected of herpesvirus etiology.