Disciform keratitis: A case of herpes zoster sine herpete

B. E. Silverstein, D. Chandler, R. Neger, T. P. Margolis

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

35 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE: To describe a case of disciform keratitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in which varicella-zoster virus was the causative agent. METHOD: Case report. Polymerase chain reaction-based assays for varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus were used to analyze an aqueous aspirate. RESULTS: We examined a 41-year-old man with AIDS but without a history of varicella-zoster virus dermatitis who had disciform corneal edema in his left eye. Varicella-zoster virus was detected by a polymerase chain reaction-based assay in the aqueous of the left eye; however, neither cytomegalovirus nor herpes simplex virus DNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction-based assays. The corneal edema slowly resolved while the patient was treated with famciclovir. CONCLUSION: Varicella-zoster virus may cause disciform keratitis without a preceding skin eruption.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)254-255
Number of pages2
JournalAmerican journal of ophthalmology
Volume123
Issue number2
DOIs
StatePublished - 1997

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