DIAGNOSTIC IMPRESSION CYTOLOGY FOR HERPES-SIMPLEX KERATITIS

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigens in corneal or conjunctival epithel ial lesions were detected by impression cytology. Specimens were obtai ned using a nitro-cellulose membrane and were stained by the peroxidas e-antiperoxidase method. HSV antigens were demonstrated in 30 of 32 pa tients with herpes simplex keratitis or conjunctivitis. Impression spe cimens of dendritic or stellate keratitis lesions exhibited precise re plicas of corneal lesions with numerous antigen-positive cells. HSV an tigens were also detectable in some of the minute stellate and/or punc tate epithelial keratitis lesions even during the course of antiviral treatment. Impression cytology is noninvasive and useful for a rapid e tiological diagnosis of herpetic epithelial lesions.