Laboratory Diagnostics of Ocular Herpes (Literature Review)

    Abstract

    Laboratory Diagnostics of Ocular Herpes (Literature Review)

    G.Kh. Zaynutdinova, N.E. Shevchuk

    Ufa Eye Research Institute, Ufa

    This review article documents traditional and modern laboratory test methods used to diagnose ocular herpes. As opposed to the the quite long and labor-intensive viral isolation, the modern highly specific and sensitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method makes it possible to detect even a few viral DNA copies in the test material (the anterior chamber humor or the vitreous body) within a short time. Moreover, quantitative PCR can enable control of the reactivation of herpes viruses at early stages and even at the symptom-free stage as well as differential diagnosis between types of herpes viruses.

    Key words: ocular herpes, laboratory diagnostics, polymerase chain reaction, anterior chamber humor, vitreous body.