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1: Am J Ophthalmol. 1997 Feb;123(2):254-5.Links

Disciform keratitis: a case of herpes zoster sine herpete.

Silverstein BE, Chandler D, Neger R, Margolis TP.

Francis I. Proctor Foundation, University of California, San Francisco Medical Center 94143-0944, USA.

PURPOSE: To describe a case of disciform keratitis in a patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in which varicella-zoster virus was the causative agent. METHOD: Case report, Polymerase chain reaction-based assays for varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and herpes simplex virus were used to analyze an aqueous aspirate. RESULTS: We examined a 41-year-old man with AIDS but without a history of varicella-zoster virus dermatitis who had disciform corneal edema in his left eye. Varicella-zoster virus was detected by a polymerase chain reaction-based assay in the aqueous of the left eye; however, neither cytomegalovirus nor herpes simplex virus DNA were detected by polymerase chain reaction-based assays. The corneal edema slowly resolved while the patient was treated with famciclovir. CONCLUSION: Varicella-zoster virus may cause disciform keratitis without a preceding skin eruption.

PMID: 9186133 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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  • Famciclovir (Famvir® )

    Famciclovir is used to treat herpes zoster (shingles; a rash that can occur in people who have had chickenpox in the past). It is also used to treat repeat outbreaks of herpes virus cold sores or fever blisters in people...

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