Could polymerase chain reaction tests on conjunctival swabs be useful to diagnose herpetic keratitis?

Abstract

Introduction: Diagnosis of HSV-1 keratitis (HK) is frequently based on clinical findings. Invasive specimens (corneal scrapings, biopsies) are required for microbiological diagnosis.

Methods: Corneal scrapings and conjunctival swabs were collected on patients with/without clinical suspicion of HK from 2007 to 2012.

Results: The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values for conjunctival swabs by PCR was 77.8, 92.1, 84.4 and 88.3, respectively.

Discussion: Conjunctival swabs by PCR may help in the diagnosis of HK, despite the limited sensitivity.

Keywords: Conjunctival swabs; Corneal scrapings; Cultivo viral; Exudados conjuntivales; Herpetic keratitis; PCR; Queratitis herpética; Raspados corneales; Viral culture.