Failure to detect hepatitis B virus in vitreous by polymerase chain reaction

Purpose: To assay the vitreous of asymptomatic hepatitis B virus (HBV) carriers for the presence of HBV DNA using polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Methods: Vitreous and serum specimens were collected from 13 carriers of HBV. The presence of HBV DNA was investigated by using PCR and Digene's Hybrid Capture System. The presence of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) in vitreous was also investigated by using the enzyme immunoassay (EIA). Results: The serum was positive for HBV DNA in 3 of the 13 asymptomatic carriers using PCR. Vitreous samples of all the patients, including 3 patients who were positive for HBV DNA in serum, were negative for HBV DNA with PCR and were negative for HBsAg with EIA. Conclusion: There is no evidence of HBV in the vitreous of asymptomatic HBV carriers. Copyright (C) 2005 S. Karger AG, Basel.