Evaluation of loss of heterozygosity and microsatellite instability in human pterygium: clinical correlations.

Aims: To evaluate the incidence of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MI) in pterygia and their possible correlation with clinical variables.

Methods: 50 pterygia, blood, and conjunctival specimens were obtained. A personal and family history was recorded for each patient.

Microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity in human pterygia.

Aims/background: Pterygium is a common benign lesion of the corneoconjunctival limbus. Although environmental factors, such as ultraviolet irradiation, have been suggested as the main causative factor in the development of the disease, however, the aetiopathology of pterygium remains obscure. In this study the possibility of detecting genetic alterations in the microsatellite DNA of the pterygium was investigated.

Detection of hsv, CMV and ebv by the polymerase chain-reaction technique in patients with inflammatory eye-diseases.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV), cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) have been recognized as pathogenic agents of intraocular inflammatory conditions. The ability of the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) technique to amplify HSV, CMV and EBV DNA from aqueous specimens makes this technique a valuable diagnostic tool for the detection of these viral pathogens in patients with ophthalmic lesions. We used PCR for the amplification of a 476 bp long sequence from the pol I gene of HSV genome, a 435 bp region of the immediate early-1 (IE-1) gene of CMV and a 375 bp sequence from the EcoRI B fragment of EBV genome.

The presence of herpesviruses in pterygium.

Pterygium is a chronic disease of unknown origin and pathogenesis. It is a vision threatening disease where surgical excision is effective. We examined surgically excised symptomatic pterygia for the presence of herpesviruses such as cytomegalovirus (CMV), herpes simplex virus (HSV) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique.

Multifocal Best's disease and sickle cell trait.

Ophthalmoscopy performed during a routine eye checkup on a 22-year-old black man revealed multiple intraretinal, cyst-like lesions scattered throughout the macular and extramacular areas in both eyes. Based on clinical findings, morphologic appearance, and an abnormal electro--oculogram, the diagnosis of multifocal Best's macular dystrophy was made. Hemoglobin electrophoresis showed an AS pattern confirming the presence of sickle cell trait.