A Suggested Rapid Test for Corneal Herpes Simplex

To the Editor: Most cases of herpes simplex disease of the corneal epithelium are diagnosed clinically. Dendritic ulceration of the cornea is almost pathognomonic of herpes simplex Type 1, and geographic (ameboid) ulcers are readily recognizable. There are, however, a number of corneal ulcers that may be herpetic but are not quite typical and in which a laboratory diagnosis is necessary to determine the correct treatment. The current laboratory methods of making a definite diagnosis include virus culture, the identification of multinucleated giant cells in Giemsa-stained scrapings, and electron microscopy. Viral antibody titers are only of secondary importance, and although . . . No extract is available for articles shorter than 400 words.