POLYMERASE CHAIN-REACTION DETECTION OF HERPES-SIMPLEX VIRUS IN TEAR FLUID FROM ATYPICAL HERPETIC EPITHELIAL KERATITIS AFTER PENETRATING KERATOPLASTY

PURPOSE: We investigated the efficacy of polymerase chain reaction (PC R) in diagnosing atypical epithelial keratitis after a penetrating ker atoplasty (PKP) for herpetic corneal scarring. METHODS: We examined th ree eyes of three patients with keratitis after a PKP for herpetic cor neal scarring. The clinical presentation of the keratitis was atypical . DNA extracted from the tears was subjected to PCR and Southern blot hybridization. RESULTS: Herpes simplex virus DNA was identified in all cases of presumptive recurrent herpetic keratitis. CONCLUSION: Polyme rase chain reaction is rapid and effective for diagnosing atypical rec urrent herpetic keratitis.