Herpes Simplex Keratitis in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Series of Five Cases.
Medicina (Kaunas)
; 57(5)2021 Apr 24.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1201634
ABSTRACT
Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is a leading cause of infectious blindness worldwide. Most of the initial infection cases manifest as acute epithelial keratitis. Reactivation of herpesviruses is common in critically ill patients, including patients with severe Coronavirus disease (COVID-19). However, the data on COVID-19-related ocular infections is sparse, despite recent observations that more than 30% of COVID-19-infected patients had ocular manifestations. We report five cases of HSV-1 keratitis in COVID-19 patients. In total, five COVID-19 patients underwent ophthalmic examination, showing similar symptoms, including photophobia, tearing, decreased vision, eye redness, and pain. After initial assessment, tests of visual acuity and corneal sensitivity, a fluorescein staining test, and complete anterior and posterior segment examinations were performed. A diagnosis of HSV-1 keratitis was confirmed in all cases. Therapy was initiated using a local and systemic antiviral approach together with local antibiotic and mydriatic therapy. The complete reduction of keratitis symptoms and a clear cornea was achieved in all patients within 2 weeks. SARS-CoV-2 infection may be a risk factor for developing HSV-1 keratitis, or it may act as a potential activator of this ocular disease.
Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Keratitis, Herpetic
/
Herpesvirus 1, Human
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Case report
/
Diagnostic study
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Humans
Language:
English
Journal subject:
Medicine
Year:
2021
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Medicina57050412
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