CMV corneal endotheliitis

Abstract

When corneal endotheliitis was first reported by Khodadoust and Attarzadeh in 1982, it was thought to be caused by an autoimmune process.1 The clinical presentation was similar to corneal allograft rejection due to the presence of linear corneal keratic precipitates (KPs). PCR testing in a patient with a similar clinical presentation in Japan led to discovery of the herpes simplex virus.2 Later, Koizumi et al detected cytomegalovirus (CMV) DNA in a case of corneal endotheliitis.3 CMV endotheliitis is a unique entity. The pathogenesis of CMV corneal endotheliitis is unknown. The clinical presentation is characterised by KPs and local corneal oedema eventually leading to corneal endothelial cell damage and bullous keratopathy. The diagnosis is confirmed by the presence of CMV DNA in the anterior chamber. The …