Human herpesvirus type 6 in human corneas

Fifty six corneas from normal individuals and twenty-five corneas from patients with confirmed herpes simplex virus type 1 [HSV-1] keratitis were analyzed using the polymerase chain reaction test for the absence or presence of human herpesvirus type 6 [HHV-6] DNA sequences. Fifty% of the corneas from the normal donors and 25% of the corneas from the HSV-1 keratitis patients were found positive for HHV-6 DNA sequences. The significance of the presence of HHV-6 in the corneas of the keratitis patients is discussed