Polymerase chain reaction to search for Herpes viruses in uveitic and healthy eyes: a South African perspective.

OBJECTIVE: To analyse aqueous polymerase chain reaction (PCR) results in patients diagnosed with undifferentiated uveitis and determine prevalence of herpesviridae in non-uveitic patients undergoing routine cataract extraction. DESIGN: Retrospective comparative case series and prospective cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: 72 patients with idiopathic uveitis and 57 surgical patients. METHODS: Diagnostic aqueous paracentesis with PCR testing for 6 herpes viridae in uveitic patients. Anterior chamber paracentesis immediately pre-operative in the prospective arm, with PCR testing. RESULTS: In the retrospective review we had a 47.2% positive PCR yield. Data analysis revealed a statistically significant correlation between a positive yield and being HIV+ (p=0.018); between an EBV+ yield and being HIV+ (p= 0.026) and a CMV+ result and being HIV+ (p=0.032). Posterior uveitis (p=0.014) and symptoms <30 days (p= 0.0014) had a statistically significant yield. In the prospective arm of the study: all 57 patients were HIV- and all aqueous samples were negative for the 6 herpesviridae. CONCLUSION: We recommend PCR testing for Herpesviridae as a safe second line test for patients with undifferentiated uveitis. We were unable to establish prevalence and suggest that the idea of a commensal herpes virus is unlikely if the blood-ocular barrier is intact.

Congenital iris ectropion uveae presenting with glaucoma in infancy.

A healthy 5-month-old boy presented with a sporadic unilateral right-sided sectorial ectropion uveae, anterior insertion of the iris root, increased IOP, and glaucomatous disk changes. The absence of other additional ocular anomalies and the appearance of the angle led to a diagnosis of congenital iris ectropion syndrome. IOPs became refractory to maximal topical therapy, and trabeculotomy surgery was performed. The patient has since been stabilized on topical agents.