Abstract
Background and objectives: Recurrent herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is the most common cause of corneal blindness in the developed world. A relationship between host gene polymorphisms and the recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has previously been proposed. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate a potential association between the IL28B host genotype and recurrent HSK. Materials and Methods: Eighty patients older than 18 years of age of both genders with a history of recurrent herpes simplex labialis (HSL) were considered for inclusion. Seventy-five of these patients were found to be seropositive for HSV-1 and were subsequently enrolled in the study. Twenty-four of the enrolled patients also had a history of recurrent HSK associated with severe corneal scarring and visual acuity deterioration. Total DNA was isolated from whole blood samples. A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs12979860 near the IL28B gene on chromosome 19 was genotyped. Results: A significant association was observed between recurrent HSK and two SNPs of the IL28B genotype (CCrs12979860 and CTrs12979860, p < 0.01). The variation CCrs12979860 showed a significantly greater association with HSK (16 out of 26 patients) compared with CTrs12979860 (8 out of 34 patients). Conclusion: Seropositive individuals with a history of recurrent HSK are likely to have the CC IL28B genotype. This genotype may be related to incomplete control of the infection and more frequent periodical viral shedding along the first nerve branch of the trigeminal ganglion, which clinically manifests as recurrent herpes keratitis. The clinical manifestation of recurrent HSV-1 infection seems to be influenced by polymorphism of the IL28B genotype.
Highlights
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is ubiquitous in humans, infecting 50–90% of the world’s population [1,2]
The polymorphism of the IL28B gene was analyzed in herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1-seropositive patients with a history of recurrent HSV disease including HSV keratitis and/or herpes labialis
In our study, all patients with recurrent HSV keratitis exhibited severe corneal scarring accompanied by significant visual acuity reduction
Summary
Herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection is ubiquitous in humans, infecting 50–90% of the world’s population [1,2]. Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is one of the leading causes of corneal blindness, primarily because of its recurrent nature [4]. The virus may follow any of the three branches of the fifth cranial nerve, regardless of the innervation branch of the primary HSV infection area. Recurrent herpes simplex keratitis (HSK) is the most common cause of corneal blindness in the developed world. A relationship between host gene polymorphisms and the recurrence of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection has previously been proposed. Twenty-four of the enrolled patients had a history of recurrent HSK associated with severe corneal scarring and visual acuity deterioration.
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