Abstract
Purpose: :
The transplant of cornea is one of the surgical but successful procedures due to that the cornea is considered an immune privileged tissue. There are diverse antecedents that influence in the refusal of this tissue, among them, the infection by herpes virus acquired of a donor cornea or either for a reactivation of the virus in the recipient that can be seen aggravated by the use of immunosuppressors. Some studies have identified that 2 to the 38% of corneas are infected with HSV and they have been able to be isolated in corneal cells culture. According to the World Health Organization approximately 90% of the population has been in contact with the HSV that can be able to explain an important number of virus carriers. The aim of this study was to identify the presence of Herpes Simple Virus (HSV) type 1, type 2 and citomegalovirus (CMV), in donors of corneas as well as in the coils taken from the recipients.
Methods: :
Ninety three coils of donors from the bank of eyes and 35 corneas taken from recipients, were analyzed. DNA was extracted from these samples. For the identification of viral DNA we used a real time PCR, using specific oligonucleotides to HSV 1, HSV 2 and CMV. DNA from cells infected with the virus mentioned was used as a positive control. Syto 9 was used as intercalant agent.
Results: :
In none of the samples studied was identified DNA from HSV1, HSV2 or CMV, the positive controls resulted according to expected.
Conclusions: :
The PCR real-time is a very sensitive technique for molecular diagnostic; therefore in spite of not to have detected the presence of the herpes virus, positive and negative controls resulted according to expected. The importance to make an exhaustive search of the viral genetic material is of great utility to diminish the risk of refusal of the graft or well of a probable viral activation in the interface donor-recipient.
Keywords: cornea: clinical science • transplantation • herpes simplex virus