Herpes simplex virus and pterygium in Taiwan.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the presence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) in pterygia to study the possible association between HSV and pterygia in Taiwan, a tropical country with a high prevalence of pterygium. METHODS: Sixty-five pterygia, 10 normal conjunctiva, 8 conjunctival nevi, and 2 malignant conjunctival melanomas were obtained. Clinical histories were recorded for each patient. HSV detection was accomplished by polymerase chain reaction amplification of viral sequences. HSV-positive specimens underwent subsequent DNA in situ hybridization. Results were statistically analyzed. RESULTS: By using polymerase chain reaction, HSV was detected in 3 (5%) pterygia, and no conjunctival control displayed HSV. All 3 HSV-positive pterygia studies were DNA in situ hybridization negative. There was no statistically significant correlation between pterygium and the presence of HSV. CONCLUSIONS: HSV is not associated with pterygium formation in Taiwan; the pathogenesis of pterygia is still incompletely understood.