Advances in the microbiological diagnosis of herpetic retinitis

Viral retinitis associated with herpesvirus is one of the most severe forms uveitis and a potentially sight-threatening ophthalmologic disease. The prognosis poor rapid aggressive management necessary to improve visual sometimes vital these patients. treatments used are not without side effects, while many differential diagnoses exist, such as toxoplasmic retinochoroiditis, syphilitic retinitis, endogenous endophthalmitis intraocular lymphoma. Causatives viruses herpes simplex virus, varicella-zoster cytomegalovirus, which require detection in ocular fluid, mainly aqueous humor. However, only small amount fluid available for analysis. Advances microbiological diagnostic techniques therefore were key factors improving diseases. Historically, diagnosis was based on immunological tests but more recently advances molecular biology, particular polymerase chain reaction, have played crucial role obtain reliable viral herpesvirus, discussed this review.