Real-time PCR and multiplex real-time PCR for ocular infections by human herpes viruses

[Abstract] Currently, there are 9 human herpes viruses known that remain latent at various sites of the human body, and some of them could become reactivated and trigger various diseases. We have been applying the real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method to help clinicians diagnose ocular surface infection, especially herpetic keratitis. In the current study, we applied multiplex real-time PCR to quantify herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1), Human herpesvirus 6 (HHV-6), and Human herpesvirus 7 (HHV-7) DNA in tears taken before and after cataract surgery and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP), and aqueous humor collected at the beginning of cataract surgery. This is the first report in the field of ophthalmology on multiplex real-time PCR carried out using ocular samples to quantify HSV-1, HHV-6, and HHV-7 DNA.