The Result of Isnlation of Herps Simplex Virus with Viral Culture Method in Herpes Simplex Keratitis

ABSTRACT

In diagnostic methods of herpes simplex keratitis are included clinical appearance, cytology, viral culture, immunofluorescent technique, and identification with electron microscopy. We studied isolation rate of virus with viral culture method from 44 eyes that was clinically diagnosed as herpes simplex keratitis. Herpes simplex virus was isolated from 24 eyes among 44 eyes(56.8%). The result of viral culture showed a high positive isolation rates in superficial keratitis(72.0%) and relatively low rates in stromal keratitis(36.8%). The positive isolation rate was high in cases of short duration after the onset of herpes simplex keratitis. It is suggested that virus isolation with viral culture method is a relatively sensitive, simple, and highly specific method for the diagnosis of herpes simplex keratitis.