Pathogenesis of herpetic stromal keratitis in CCR5- and/or CXCR3-deficient mice.

Purpose: Herpetic stromal keratitis (HSK) is an immunopathological reaction to herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) corneal infection. It has been reported that CD4+ cells play the most important role in the pathogenesis of this disease. In this study, we have focused on two chemokine receptors, CCR5 and CXCR3, which are expressed on CD4+ Th1 cells in mice HSK model.

Clinical application of real-time polymerase chain reaction for diagnosis of herpetic diseases of the anterior segment of the eye.

Purpose: To assess the value of quantification of herpes simplex virus (HSV) DNA for the differential diagnosis of herpetic diseases of the anterior segment of the eye.

Methods: One hundred forty-four samples from 90 patients with ocular inflammatory diseases were examined for HSV DNA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) with primers set for the consensus sequence of HSV-1/2 DNA polymerase. The samples included corneal epithelial scrapings, tear fluid (200microl of eye wash), and aqueous humor.

Therapeutic effects of tacrolimus ointment for refractory ocular surface inflammatory diseases.

Purpose: To investigate the therapeutic effects of topical tacrolimus ointment on refractory ocular surface inflammatory diseases.

Design: Retrospective interventional consecutive case series.

Participants: Ten consecutive patients with severe ocular surface inflammatory diseases who were suspected to be steroid responders (elevation of intraocular pressure [IOP]) or were refractory to standard steroid therapy were studied.