Demonstration of Varicella-zoster Virus Antigens in the Vitreous Aspirates of Patients with Acute Retinal Necrosis Syndrome

Varicella-Zoster Virus Is Strongly Associated with Atypical Necrotizing Herpetic Retinopathies

“…Recently, the viral etiology in culture-negative cases of ARN was confirmed by electron microscopic demonstration of viral particles, antigen immunofluorescence testing, and/or immunocytology; infection was found to be attributable to VZV in 80% of these cases [20,30,[32][33][34]. These data correspond well with our findings with respect to the presence of VZV DNA in aqueous humor samples from patients with ARN; this agreement is encouraging since it indicates that amplification of DNA in aqueous humor samples represents an appropriate method for detecting the causative agent of acute retinopathies.…”

Acute Retinal Necrosis: A New Pathophysiological Hypothesis

“…Evidence for herpes virus infection has been detected in most cases when adequately searched for. In those cases reported in the literature both herpes simplex and varicellazoster virus have been identified by various methods [5][6][7][8]. Herein we report a case of ARN probably caused by CMV.…”

“…There is a growing body of evidence indicating that virus es of the herpes group are involved in ARN [5][6][7][8]. Evidence for herpes virus infection has been detected in most cases when adequately searched for.…”

“…Viruses of the herpes fam ily have been associated with this syndrome, with or without evidence of systemic viral in fection [5][6][7][8]. We present a case of cytomega lovirus (CMV)-induced ARN occurring 2 months after an episode of widespread lum bar zoster.…”

Demonstration of herpes simplex virus from lens aspirate in healed acute retinal necrosis syndrome

“…E ditor ,—The herpes group of viruses, mainly the varicella zoster virus (HZV), and more rarely, the herpes simplex (HSV) types 1 and 2, and cytomegalovirus (CMV),1 have been demonstrated in aqueous humour,2 vitreous,3or retinal biopsy4 specimens in the active phase of acute retinal necrosis (ARN), by isolation, immunological methods, electron microscopy, and polymerase chain reaction. However, several reports indicate the inability to demonstrate the virus from intraocular specimens in the healed stage of the disease 4…”