Cytomegalovirus in aqueous humor from an eye with corneal endotheliitis

Am J Ophthalmol. 2006 Mar;141(3):564-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajo.2005.09.021.

Abstract

Purpose: To report cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in aqueous humor from a patient with unilateral corneal endotheliitis.

Design: Case report.

Methods: A 51-year-old man presented with unilateral corneal endotheliitis with linear keratic precipitates and coin-shaped lesions. Tear and aqueous humor samples were subjected to polymerase chain reaction to look for DNA from herpes simplex virus (HSV), varicella zoster virus (VZV), and CMV.

Results: Aqueous humor from the diseased eye contained DNA from CMV but not HSV or VZV. Its specificity was confirmed by Southern blot tests. Intravenous ganciclovir treatment resulted in the localization of his corneal edema and the reduction in keratic precipitates. There was severe destruction of corneal endothelial cells. CMV DNA was not detected in tears or control samples.

Conclusions: In this healthy man with corneal endotheliitis, we detected CMV DNA in aqueous humor from the affected eye, but not HSV or VZV. This suggests that CMV may cause corneal endotheliitis in patients without immunodeficiency.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acyclovir / therapeutic use
  • Antiviral Agents / therapeutic use
  • Aqueous Humor / virology*
  • Blotting, Southern
  • Cytomegalovirus / genetics
  • Cytomegalovirus / isolation & purification*
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / diagnosis
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / drug therapy
  • Cytomegalovirus Infections / virology*
  • DNA, Viral / analysis
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Endothelium, Corneal / drug effects
  • Endothelium, Corneal / pathology
  • Endothelium, Corneal / virology*
  • Eye Infections, Viral / diagnosis
  • Eye Infections, Viral / drug therapy
  • Eye Infections, Viral / virology*
  • Ganciclovir / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Keratitis / diagnosis
  • Keratitis / drug therapy
  • Keratitis / virology*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction

Substances

  • Antiviral Agents
  • DNA, Viral
  • Ganciclovir
  • Acyclovir