Delayed onset of varicella keratitis

Cornea. 1992 Sep;11(5):471-4. doi: 10.1097/00003226-199209000-00018.

Abstract

Although varicella is one of the most common infectious diseases in the United States, systemic and ocular complications are rare. We report a patient who developed disciform edema followed by microdendritic keratitis 1 and 2 months, respectively, after resolution of the acute phase of varicella. Cultures were negative, but serologic analysis found positive antibodies against varicella zoster virus and negative antibodies against herpes simplex virus. Based on this case and on a review of the literature, we believe that this delayed onset of keratitis represents a distinct category of varicella corneal complications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antibodies, Viral / analysis
  • Chickenpox* / drug therapy
  • Child
  • Corneal Edema / drug therapy
  • Corneal Edema / microbiology
  • Female
  • Herpesvirus 3, Human / immunology
  • Humans
  • Keratitis, Dendritic / drug therapy
  • Keratitis, Dendritic / microbiology*
  • Prednisone / therapeutic use
  • Recurrence
  • Trifluridine / therapeutic use
  • Vidarabine / therapeutic use
  • Visual Acuity

Substances

  • Antibodies, Viral
  • Vidarabine
  • Trifluridine
  • Prednisone