Detection of herpes simplex virus DNA in donor cornea culture medium by polymerase chain reaction

• Published in: British journal of ophthalmology Vol. 80; no. 7; pp. 654 - 657
• Main Authors: Morris, D. J., Cleator, G. M., Klapper, P. E., Cooper, R. J., Biney, E. O., Dennett, C., Marcyniuk, B., Tullo, A. B.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMA House, Tavistock Square, London, WC1H 9JR BMJ Publishing Group Ltd 01.07.1996; BMJ; BMJ Publishing Group LTD
• Subjects: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; Corneal Transplantation; Culture Media - chemistry; DNA, Viral - isolation & purification; Female; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Molecular Sequence Data; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Simplexvirus - genetics; Simplexvirus - isolation & purification; Treatment Outcome; Viral diseases; Viral diseases with cutaneous or mucosal lesions and viral diseases of the eye; Virus Latency; Human; Culture medium; Cornea; Herpesviridae; Alphaherpesvirinae; Keratopathy; Medical screening; Virus; Infection; Polymerase chain reaction; Eye disease; Donor; Viral disease; Herpesvirus hominis; Diagnosis; Technique; Cadaver
• ISSN: 0007-1161; 1468-2079
• DOI: 10.1136/bjo.80.7.654

AIMS/BACKGROUND: Herpes simplex virus (HSV) may establish latent infection in the cornea and therefore be transmissible by corneal transplantation. Monitoring of donor cornea culture medium was evaluated for HSV infection. METHODS: HSV was sought using virus isolation in cell culture, and its DNA was amplified to detectable levels using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). RESULTS: Virus isolation in cell culture was negative on neat, cell pellet, and cell free supernatant prepared from the spent culture media of 80 corneas. Three cell pellets (3.8%) were positive for HSV DNA. The PCR positive culture negative results might have reflected latent rather than active HSV infection of the cornea. Post transplant follow up of the three recipients of corneas with HSV PCR positive organ culture media revealed no evidence of HSV induced eye disease or primary graft failure. CONCLUSION: Screening of corneal culture medium for HSV by virus culture or for HSV DNA by PCR could not be recommended.