Herpetic Anterior Uveitis in a Chinese Referral Center: Clinical Manifestations and Laboratory Test Results.

PURPOSE: To describe and to compare the clinical manifestation and laboratory test results of herpetic anterior uveitis (HAU) caused by Herpes simplex virus (HSV) and varicella-zoster virus (VZV).

METHODS

A retrospective, observational study on patients diagnosed with HAU. Etiology, clinical features, ocular complications, and recurrences of the infection were evaluated as main clinical parameters. The aqueous Interleukin-8 (IL-8) level was also measured to assess the intraocular inflammation.

RESULTS

Thirty-two eyes (32 patients) were involved. Among all involved cases, 24 had VZV-AU and 8 had HSV-AU. Common clinical features of HAU included the presence of KPs (90.6%), distorted pupil (83.3%), Iris atrophy (71.9%) and corneal edema (50%). The intraocular fluid analysis showed higher viral load and IL-8 level in VZV-AU.

CONCLUSIONS

Compared with HSV-AU, the intraocular inflammation was more severe in VZV-AU. The intraocular fluid analysis was valuable for the etiological diagnosis and the evaluation of disease severity.