Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is an inflammatory response to viral infection and self antigens in the cornea and is a major cause of blindness. Using two strains of mice which are susceptible (129/SVEV) and resistant (C57BL/6) to herpes simplex virus (HSV) strain KOS, (129/SVEV x C57BL/6)F(2) mice were generated and examined for their disease susceptibility in terms of clinical symptoms, ocula...

BACKGROUND Acute dacryoadenitis is an uncommon disease. CASE We present what we believe to be the first reported case of herpes zoster ophthalmicus with the onset of acute dacryoadenitis. OBSERVATIONS A 30-year-old man complained of severe ocular pain and hyperemia in his right eye. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) demonstrated enlargement of the right lacrimal gland and acute dacryoadeniti...

Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is an important factor for vision loss in developed countries. A challenging aspect of the ocular infection by HSV-1 is that common treatments, such as acyclovir, fail to provide effective topical remedies. Furthermore, it is not very clear whether the viral glycoproteins, required for HSV-1 entry into the host, can be targeted for an effective therapy agains...

For some patients, herpes zoster infections not only result in acute pain but serious consequences, including postherpetic neuralgia and damage to ocular tissues. Some authors have recommended corticosteroids for the treatment of these acute symptoms and complications. The literature concerning the use of corticosteroids for herpes zoster, however, either provides conflicting results or include...

c.ontinuing recurrence of disease is one of the most troublesome characteristics of herpes simplex keratitis. If ocular herpes were a one-time infection, the likelihood of deep involvement, with its scarring, decreased vision, and even blindness, would be much smaller. With each recurrence, the chance of encountering these complications increases. Recent advances in research have led to a bette...

Topical acyclovir has been found in 15 out of 18 patients to control, without recurrences and in an appreciably shorter time than if steroids were used, keratoconjunctivitis induced by herpes zoster. Once steroids were started, recurrences occurred during withdrawal of steroids or after they had been stopped.

Cytomegalovirus (CMV), a member of the herpes family which includes herpes simplex virus (HSV) 1 and 2, varicella zoster virus (VZV), and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV), is ubiquitous worldwide. About 85% of persons above the age of 40 in the general community are seropositive.1 CMV infections manifest more usually in immunocompromised individuals especially in patients with acquired immune deficienc...