Herpes simplex keratitis revisited / Ceratite por Herpes simples revisitada

ABSTRACT The degree to which viral infection and the host's immune reaction to viral particles participate in the inflammatory process across various forms of herpetic keratitis has remained controversial. This fact has created conflicts regarding the classification of and therapeutic planning for such morbidities. This review aims to stimulate reflection on the classifications' adequacy, nomenclatures, and therapeutic approaches related to these entities.

RESUMO O grau de participação da infecção viral e da reação imunológica do hospedeiro às partículas virais no processo infamatório das diferentes formas de ceratites herpéticas ainda é objeto de controvérsia. Esse fato gera conflitos de classificação e planejamento terapêutico relativos a essas morbidades. Esta revisão visa estimular a reflexão sobre a adequabilidade das classificações, nomenclaturas e abordagens terapêuticas dessas entidades.

Clinical Features of Herpes Simplex Keratitis in a Korean Tertiary Referral Center: Efficacy of Oral Antiviral and Ascorbic Acid on Recurrence

PURPOSE: To describe the clinical manifestations of herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) in a tertiary referral center in South Korea and to determine whether ascorbic acid treatment prevents recurrence of herpetic epithelial keratitis. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study included all consecutive patients with herpetic keratitis referred to our center from January 2010 to January 2015. Clinical features, ocular complications, and recurrences were recorded. RESULTS: In total, 149 eyes of the 133 patients (72 male and 61 female) were followed for an average of 24.6 ± 13.2 months. Sixteen (12.0%) patients had bilateral HSK. The most frequent HSK subtype was epithelial keratitis (49.7%), which was followed by stromal keratitis (23.5%). Epithelial keratitis was the most likely subtype to recur. Complications occurred in 122 (81.9%) eyes. The most common complication was corneal opacity. Recurrences were observed in 48 (32.2%) eyes. The recurrence rates were lower in the prophylactic oral antiviral agent group (16 / 48 eyes, 33.3% vs. 49 / 101 eyes, 48.5%) and the ascorbic acid treatment group (13 / 48 eyes, 27.1% vs. 81 / 101 eyes, 70.3%) compared with the groups without medications. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed that both factors significantly reduced the risk of recurrence (acyclovir: odds ratio, 0.25; 95% confidence intervals, 0.12 to 0.51; ascorbic acid: odds ratio, 0.51; 95% confidence intervals, 0.20 to 0.91). CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective study described the clinical findings of HSK in a tertiary referral center in South Korea. Prophylactic oral antiviral agent treatment and oral ascorbic acid administration may lower the risk of recurrence.

Detection of herpes simplex-1 and -2 and varicella zoster virus by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in corneas from patients with bacterial keratitis / Detecção de vírus herpes simplex tipo 1 e 2 e varicella zoster por reação em cadeia de polimerase em tempo real em córneas de pacientes com ceratites bacterianas

ABSTRACT Objective: Bacterial keratitis occurs worldwide, and despite recent developments, it remains a potentially blinding condition. This study assesses the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV-1 and -2) and varicella zoster virus (VZV) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) in corneal scrapings from patients with bacterial keratitis. Methods: A total of 65 patients with clinical diagnoses of infectious corneal ulcers prospectively underwent clinical eye examinations. Corneal scrapings were investigated by Gram staining, Giemsa staining, culture, and qPCR (the study group). Risk factors and epidemiological data were recorded. The control group comprising 25 eyes with typical herpes dendritic keratitis was also analyzed by qPCR. Results: From the study group (n=65), nine patients (13.8%) had negative smears, cultures, and qPCR findings. Fifty-six (86.2%) patients had positive cultures: 51 for bacteria, 4 for fungi, and 1 for amoebae. Of the patients who had positive bacterial cultures, qPCR identified 10 patients who were also positive for virus: one for VZV and nine for HSV-1. Of the 25 patients in the control group, 21 tested positive for HSV-1 by qPCR analysis. Conclusions: Herpes may be present in patients with bacterial corneal ulcers, and qPCR may be useful in its detection.

RESUMO Objetivo: Ceratites bacterianas ocorrem mundialmente e apesar dos novos desenvolvimentos permanece como uma condição que pode levar à cegueira. Avaliar a presença de herpes simples (-1 e -2) e vírus varicella zoster (VZV) por reação em cadeia quantitativa de polimerase em tempo real (qPCR) em raspados corneanos de pacientes com ceratite bacteriana. Métodos: Sessenta e cinco pacientes com ceratite infecciosa foram submetidos a raspados corneanos estudados para gram, Giemsa, cultura e qPCR (grupo de estudo). Foram avaliados fatores de risco e epidemiológicos. O grupo controle foi composto por 25 casos de úlcera dendrítica típica por herpes analisados por qPCR. Resultados: Do grupo de estudo (n=65), nove pacientes (13,8%) apresentaram cultura, qPCR e raspado negativos. Cinquenta e seis (86,2%) pacientes apresentaram cultura positiva, 51 para bacteria, 4 para fungo e 1 para ameba. A qPCR identificou 10 pacientes do grupo de cultura positiva para bactéria que também foram positivos para vírus, um VZV e 9 para HSV-1. Dos 25 pacientes que compunham o grupo controle, 21 apresentaram qPCR positivo para HSV-1. Conclusão: Herpes pode estar presente em pacientes com úlceras de córnea bacterianas e a qPCR pode ser útil na sua detecção.

The outcome of penetrating keratoplasty for corneal scarring due to herpes simplex keratitis / O resultado da ceratoplastia penetrante para cicatriz de córnea consequente à ceratite por herpes simplex

ABSTRACT Purpose: To determine the outcomes of penetrating keratoplasty (PK) for treatment of corneal scarring caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) keratitis, and whether the corneal scar type affects treatment outcome. Methods: A retrospective analysis of patients who underwent PK for HSV-related corneal scarring between January 2008 and July 2011 was performed. The patients were categorized into two groups. Group 1 consisted of patients with a quiescent herpetic corneal scar and group 2 consisted of patients who developed a corneal descemetocele or perforation secondary to persistent epithelial defects with no active stromal inflammation. The mean follow-up was 21.30 ± 14.59 months. The main parameters evaluated were recurrence of herpetic keratitis, graft rejection, graft failure, visual acuity, and graft survival rate. Results: There were 42 patients in group 1 and 13 in group 2. Preoperative BCVA varied from hand movements to 0.7 logMAR. Postoperatively, 34 patients (61.8%) achieved visual acuity of 0.6 logMAR or more. Recurrence of HSV keratitis was noted in 12 (28.57%) eyes in group 1 and 4 (30.76%) eyes in group 2 (p=0.40). Graft rejection occurred in 4 eyes (9.52%) in group 1 and in 3 (23.07%) eyes in group 2 (p=0.58). The 1-, 2-, and 3-year graft survival rates were 91.9%, 76.0%, and 65.1% in group 1, and 89.5%, 76.0%, and 63.6% in group 2 (p=0.91), respectively. Conclusions: Although there were different recurrence and graft rejection rates for two groups, the graft survival rates at 3 years were similar. According to our results, without inflammation, corneal herpetic scarring with a descemetocele or perforation achieved similar graft survival rates with quiescent herpetic corneal scars.

RESUMO Objetivo: Determinar os resultados da ceratoplastia penetrante (PK) para o tratamento da cicatriz da córnea consequente à ceratite por Herpes simplex vírus (HSV), e se o tipo de cicatriz na córnea afeta o resultado cirúrgico. Métodos: Foi realizada análise retrospectiva dos pacientes, submetidos à PK para a cicatriz da córnea relacionados com o HSV entre janeiro de 2008 e julho de 2011. Os pacientes foram divididos em dois grupos. Grupo 1 consistiu de pacientes que tiveram cicatriz corneana herpética quiescente e grupo 2 consistiu de pacientes que desenvolveram descemetocele ou perfuração córnea secundária a defeitos epiteliais persistentes sem inflamação estromal ativa. O seguimento médio foi de 21,30 ± 14,59 meses. Os principais parâmetros avaliados foram recorrência de ceratite herpética, rejeição de enxerto, falência do enxerto, acuidade visual e taxa de sobrevida do enxerto. Resultados: Foram avaliados 42 pacientes do grupo 1 e 13 doentes do grupo 2. Acuidade visual pré-operatória variou de movimentos das mãos (HM) para 0,7 logMAR. No pós-operatório, 34 pacientes (61,8%) atingiram acuidade visual de 0,6 logMAR ou melhor. Doze olhos (28,57%) tiveram recorrência de HSV ceratite no grupo 1, e quatro olhos (30,76%) tiveram recorrência no grupo 2 (p=0,40). A rejeição do enxerto ocorreu em 4 olhos (9,52%) no grupo 1, e em 3 olhos do grupo 2 (23,07%; p=0,58), taxa de sobrevivência do enxerto foi de 91,9% a 1 ano, 76,0% aos 2 anos e 65,1% aos 3 anos no grupo 1, e 89,5% a 1 ano, 76,0% aos 2 anos e 63,6% aos 3 anos no grupo 2 (p=0,91). Conclusões: Embora diferentes taxas de recorrência e de rejeição do enxerto foram encontradas nos dois grupos, a taxa de sobrevida do enxerto em 3 anos foi semelhantes nos dois grupos. De acordo com nossos resultados, em casos sem inflamação, a cicatriz herpética da córnea com descemetocele ou perfuração demonstra as taxas de sobrevivência do enxerto semelhantes às da cicatriz corneana herpética quiescente.

Inhibitory effects of bevacizumab on corneal neovascularization and scarring in mice with herpes simplex keratitis / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Corneal neovascularization and inflammation occur in herpes simplex keratitis (HSK).Aciclovir (ACV) is an antiviral medication which is primarily used for the treatment of HSV infection.Bevacizumab is an angiogenesis inhibitor which has the ability to slow the growth of corneal neovascularization.However,whether bevacizumab play treating effects on HSK is worth studing.Objective This study attempted to study the effects of bevacizumab on cornea lesion in mouse models of HSK.Methods The solution containing herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1) of Mckrae strain was induced by cultured and infectious Vero cells and prepared by ten-times step dilution with free-serum DMEM,and plaque assay was used to detect the viral titers.HSV-1 of 1 ×l07 plaque-forming unit (PFU) in 0.6 μl was injected into the corneal stroma of 6 to 8-week-old SPF male C57BL/6 mice using a microliter syringe to establish latent HSK mouse models.The models were examined under the slit lamp microscope at day 5,7,11,14 and 17 after modeling as well as day 0,2,4 and 6 after recurrence,and the central cornea touch sensitivity was recorded.The models were divided into ACV-injected group,ACV+bevacizumabinjected group and normal saline-injected group,and 5 μl normal saline with 50 μg ACV,50 μg ACV + 5 μl bevacizumab or 10 μl normal saline was subconjunctivally iujected according to grouping in 4 eyes of each group,respectively.Twelve model eyes were exposed to ultraviolet (UV)-B to induce the recurrent HSK.Corneal wholemounts were prepared at day 9 after modeling for the assessment of corneal neovascularization and nerve fiber distribution by immunofluorescence assay of CD31 and β Ⅲ Tubulin antibodies.The areas of corneal neovascularization and scarring were mcasured with Image J software.The change rate of lesion was calculated and described as a ratio of lesion size at day 8 with day 0 after induction recurrence.Results The modeling success rate was over 80％,and all infected mice showed latent period at day 45 after modeling.Corneal opacification was the most serious at day 7 after modeling and day 2 after recurrence,and the largest corneal neovascular area was seen at day 15 after modeling and at day 2 after recurrence,and the central cornea touch sensitivity was the worst at day 9 after initial infection.The mean corneal lesion area was 3.348 mm2 in the ACV+bevacizumab-injected group,which was smaller than 3.930 mm2 in the ACV-injected group (Z=-2.309,P =0.021).The central corneal sensitivity in the ACV+bevacizumab-injected group was significantly higher than that in the normal saline-injected group (5.50± 0.71 versus 0.50± 1.41,Z =-2.397,P =0.029).The increase rate of corneal lesion area in the ACV +bevacizumabinjected group was evidently lower than that in the normal saline-injected group ([167.10 ± 52.53]％ versus [312.30± 74.18] ％,Z =-1.992,P =0.046).At the 7th day after modeling,the relative expressing levels of thymidine kinase (TK) and infected-cell protein-27 (ICP-27) mRNA in the corneal tissue and trigeminal ganglion were significantly increased at day 7 and reduced at day 45 after modeling,and the factors raised again at day 2 and retreated at day 7 after induction of recurrence.In addition,the expression of LAT mRNA peaked at day 45 after modeling and reduced gradually at day 2 after recurrence until a new increasing peak at day 7 after recurrence (all at P＜0.01).Immunofluorescence showed that compared with the normal saliue-injected group,the corneal new vessels were lessened and corneal never fibers were increased in the ACV-injected group and ACV +bevacizumab-injected group.Conclusions The combination of bevacizumab with ACV can inhibit corneal neovascularization and scarring in HSK mice,and bevacizumab exhibits a synergistic effect with ACV in management of HSK.

Efficacy of tacrolimus eyedrops topical application for herpes simplex disciform stromal keratitis and its influence on tear / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Herpes simplex virus (HSV) disciform stromal keratitis is a T cell-mediated delayed-type hypersensitivity of corneal stroma.The treatment of HSV disciform stromal keratitis is the combination of glucocorticoid and antiviral drug before.However,the therapy is limited for intolerantble patients to glucocorticoid.In addition,the adverse reactions following usage of glucocorticoid can not be ignored.FKS06 solution is proved to has the immunosuppressive and antiinflammatory acttions with less side effects than glucocorticoid drug.But the study on the application of FK506 solution in treatment of HSV disciform stromal keratitis is lack.Objective This prospective clinical trail was to evaluate the efficacy of topical tacrolimus for HSV disciform stromal keratitis and its safety.Methods A prospective study was performed on 18 consecutive cases (18 eyes) who were diagnosed as active HSV disciform stromal keratitis from June 2011 to June 2012 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center under the approval of the Ethic Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center and informed consent of the patients,including 3 patients with refractory to prior steroid eyedrops.All patients received a combination topical tacrolimus eyedrops 4 times per day with topical and systemic anti-viral therapy for mean (56.0±7.9) days.Corneal thickness by slit lamp biomicroscope,visual acuity,intraocular pressure,corneal fluorescein staining,Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t) and tear breakup time (BUT) were performed on the patients before and 1 month,2 months after treatment and at the drug withdrawal to assess the treating efficacy of FK506,and the adverse reactions of eyes were recorded.Results Corneal edema was alleviated in (8.3 ± 2.5) days after treatment in all the patients and returned to normality in (25.3±11.5) days.Corneal edema of 2 eyes with refractory to previous steroid eyedrops showed a slower recovery procedure than that of the others.Corneal fluorescence staining scores were 4 (6,2),1 (2,1),1 (1,0) and 0 (1,0) before and 1 month,2 months and at drug withdrawal,respectively,with a significant difference among the four time points (H=39.90,P＜0.001),and the scores were significantly lower after treatment than before (all at P＜0.01).The S Ⅰ t values were (6.78±1.90),(7.39±3.53),(8.06±2.92) and (8.11±3.05) mm/5 min,respectively in the 4 time points,without statistically significant difference among various time points (F =0.94,P =0.43).The BUT values were (0.39 ± 0.50),(1.11 ± 0.90),(2.00 ± 1.08) and (3.39 ± 0.92) seconds,respectively,showing a significant difference among the 4 time points (F=34.54,P＜0.01) and had the increased values after treatment of FK506.Recurrence was seen in 2 eyes in 2 months and 5 months after cessation of tacrolimus.However,the eyes were healed after a second round regimen.No elevation of intraocular pressure and secondary infection were found in the patients during the treatment and follow-up period.Conclusions The combination therapy of tacrolimus with antiviral drug is effective and safe for HSV disciform stromal keratitis by alleviating corneal edema and promoting the rehabilitation of tear film.

Necrose retiniana aguda por presumível etiologia viral por herpes simples resultando em endoftalmite: relato de caso / Acute retinal necrosis due to herpes simplex resulting in endofthalmitis: case report

A necrose retiniana aguda é uma rara e devastadora retinite necrotizante, que pode ser causada pelo vírus herpes simples tipo 1 ou 2. Afeta tipicamente pacientes saudáveis de todas as idades. Este estudo é um relato de caso de um paciente de 18 anos, previamente hígido, que apresentou necrose aguda de retina por presumível etiologia viral por herpes simples, e descreve sua apresentação clínica e ultrassonográfica. Por não ter sido diagnosticado e tratado precocemente, a necrose retiniana aguda cumpriu sua história natural e evoluiu para um quadro compatível com endoftalmite.

The acute retinal necrosis is a rare and devastating necrotizing retinitis, which can be caused by the herpes simplex virus type 1 or 2. It typically affects healthy patients of all ages. This study report a case of 18 year-old healthy male patient, with the the diagnosis of the acute retinal necrosis due to herpes simplex, and presents its clinical and ultrassonographic features. The acute retinal necrosis results in endofthalmitis because of lack of early diagnosis and therapy.

Detecção do vírus herpes simples por reação em cadeia da polimerase em pacientes com ceratite herpética típica ou atípica / Molecular detection of herpes simplex virus by polymerase chain reaction in patients with typical and atypical herpetic keratitis

OBJETIVO: Avaliação dos pacientes com o quadro clínico de ceratite herpética (CH) típicas e atípicas, pela reação em cadeia da polimerase (PCR) correlacionando com o diagnóstico clínico. MÉTODOS: Foi realizada a PCR em 28 pacientes com ceratite herpética típica e atípica. RESULTADOS: A PCR foi positiva em 57,14 por cento (n=16) do total (n=28). Nos casos de CH típica a positividade foi de 60,00 por cento (n=12) em 20 casos. Para CH epitelial a positividade foi de 69,23 por cento (n=9), sendo 77,78 por cento (n=7) apenas para as lesões epiteliais dendríticas. Os casos de CH atípica apresentaram positividade de 50 por cento (n=4) em oito casos. CONCLUSÃO: Quadro clínico típico de CH teve boa correlação com o resultado positivo observado na PCR. Entretanto, metade dos pacientes com o quadro de CH atípica apresentou PCR positivo, portanto, o exame do PCR é teste importante para o auxílio e diagnóstico da CH. No caso de CH estromal, foi demonstrado que a técnica da PCR conseguiu identificar o vírus HSV.

PURPOSE: To evaluate patients with clinically typical and atypical herpetic keratitis (HK) by means of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) as compared with the clinical diagnosis. METHODS: PCR in 28 patients with clinical symptoms of typical and atypical HK was performed. RESULTS: PCR was positive in 57.14 percent (n=16) of the total cases (n=28). The test was positive in 60.0 percent (n=12) of the 20 typical HK cases. For epithelial HK, the test was positive in 69.23 percent (n=9), and 77.78 percent (n=7) only for dendritic injuries. Atypical HK presented a positive test in 50 percent (n=4) of eight cases. CONCLUSION: Clinical typical picture of HK had a good correlation with the positive result of PCR, mainly for epithelial injury of the dendritic type. However, 50 percent of the patients with atypical HK presented positive PCR. This result showed that PCR test can provide an effective HK diagnosis. In the stromal case of HK, PCR was a useful technique to identify HSV virus.

Endotelite e ceratoneurite herpética / Endothelitis and herpetic keratoneuritis

Relatamos um caso de endotelite que se expressou inicialmente como uma cerato-neurite em pacientes usuários de lente de contato gelatinosa e de inadequado uso de solução salina . Trata-se de uma paciente de 41 anos, branca feminina, que se queixava de intensa dor no olho esquerdo e que ao exame biomicroscópico revelou edema corneano microcístico e ceratoneurite radial. Foram realizadas cultura e biopsia corneana e todos testes foram negativos. O tratamento com excelente resposta terapêutica reduziu o edema da córnea e aliviou a dor ocular consistiu de dexametasona 0,1 por cento tópica sob a forma de pomada e acyclovir oral.

We decribed a case of endothelitis that began with keratoneuritis in patient who wore soft contact lens and saline solution with poor hygiene. A 41 years old ,white female suffered from severe pain in her left eye, with microcystic corneal edema and radial keratoneuritis .Culture and corneal byopsia was made, and all tests were negative.The treatment including topical dexametasona 0.1 percent ophthalmic solution and oral acyclovir successfully controlled the corneal edema and the pain.

Laboratory results in ocular viral diseases: implications in clinical-laboratory correlation

PURPOSE: To document etiology and predictive value of clinical diagnosis in laboratory confirmed viral diseases. METHODS: Reports of culture-positive cases of samples collected from patients presenting from January 1987 - December 2001 were evaluated. RESULTS: One thousand nine hundred and sixty-four (1964) cultures were submitted during 1987-2001. Twenty-six percent were positive (514). Human herpesvirus 1 was the most frequent agent isolated from all positive culture (56 percent). Adenovirus was the most common virus isolated from conjunctiva (66 percent), human herpesvirus 1 from lid and cornea (76 percent, 88 percent) and cytomegalovirus from vitreous (27 percent). Some unusual pathogens were recovered from conjunctiva as cytomegalovirus and from cornea as adenovirus, enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. Recognition of common viral syndromes was human herpesvirus 1 (88 percent), epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (88 percent), acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (70 percent) and varicella zoster virus (100 percent). However, some misdiagnosed cases were observed. Thirteen percent of conjunctivitis thought to be caused by herpes were due to adenovirus, 3.2 percent to Enterovirus, 3.2 percent to varicella zoster virus and 3.2 percent to human cytomegalovirus. Also, 5 percent of cases with a clinical diagnosis of herpes keratitis were caused by adenovirus and 2.7 percent by enterovirus. Finally, 4.8 percent of cases thought to be adenovirus conjunctivitis were herpes conjunctivitis. CONCLUSIONS: Human herpesvirus 1 remains the most frequently isolated virus from ocular sites in general (56 percent). Nonherpetic corneal isolates were in decreasing order: adenovirus, enterovirus and cytomegalovirus. Clinical and laboratory correlation was less than 90 percent. The most misdiagnosed cases were herpes conjunctivitis and keratitis, some cases of adenovirus conjunctivitis some cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis. It is essential that a rapid and...

OBJETIVOS: Documentar a etiologia e prever a importância do diagnóstico clínico em doenças virais oculares confirmadas em laboratório. MÉTODOS: Todos os relatórios de pacientes com cultura viral positiva durante o período de janeiro 1987 - dezembro 2001 foram analisados. RESULTADOS: Quinhentos e quatorze (514) casos foram encontrados. Em geral, herpesvírus 1 humano foi o agente mais freqüentemente isolado. Adenovírus foi o vírus mais comumente isolado da conjuntiva (66 por cento), herpesvírus 1 humano das pálpebras e córnea (76 por cento, 88 por cento respectivamente) e citomegalovírus do vítreo (27 por cento). Alguns agentes não usuais foram isolados da conjuntiva como citomegalovírus e da córnea como adenovírus, enterovírus e citomegalovírus. Reconhecimento das síndromes virais comuns foi: herpervírus 1 humano (88 por cento), ceratoconjuntivite epidêmica (88 por cento), conjuntivite aguda hemorrágica (70 por cento). Porém, alguns casos com diagnóstico incorreto foram observados. Treze por cento das conjuntivites com diagnóstico de herpes foram causadas por adenovírus, 3,2 por cento por enterovírus, 3,2 por cento por varicella zoster vírus e 3,2 por cento por citomegalovírus. Também, 5 por cento dos casos com diagnóstico clínico de ceratite herpética eram adenovírus e 2,7 por cento enterovírus. Além disso, 4,8 por cento dos casos em que se pensaram em conjuntivite por adenovírus, eram conjuntivite por herpes. Finalmente, 30 por cento dos casos em que se diagnosticaram conjuntive hemorrágica aguda, o agente etiológico era adenovírus. CONCLUSÃO: Em geral herpesvírus humano 1 continua a ser o vírus mais comum encontrado nas infecções oculares (56 por cento). Agentes não herpéticos isolados da córnea foram em ordem decrescente: adenovírus, enterovírus e citomegalovírus. A correlação entre o diagnóstico clínico e laboratorial foi menor do que 90 por cento. Um diagnóstico rápido e específico é essencial em casos de apresentações virais atípicas...

Therapeutic Effect of Chinese Medicine Combined with Ion-introduction of Radix Astragali Injection for Herpes Simplex Keratitis / 广州中医药大学学报

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of Chinese medicine combined with ion-introduction of Radix Astragali Injection (RAI)for herpes simplex keratitis (HSK).Methods Ninety HSK patients (104 affected eyes)were randomized into two groups.Both of the two groups received anti-virus drugs,and the treatment group (45 patients with 53 affected eyes)received oral use of decoction of Chinese medicines (mainly composed of Semen Cassiae,Fructus Viticis,Periostracum Cidadae,Ramulus Uncariae cum Uncis,Fructus Gardeniae,Fructus Forsythiae,Flos Chrysanthemi,Rhizoma Chuanxiong,etc.),and ion-introduction of RAI.The changes of vision and clinical symptoms before and after treatment were observed,and a 2-year follow-up was carried out.Results In the treatment group,19 eyes were cured,27 effective,7 ineffective,and the total therapeutic effective rate being 86.79%;in the control group,10 eyes were cured,21 effective,20 ineffective,and the total therapeutic effective rate being 60.78%.The therapeutic effect in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group (P