LEUKOCYTE MIGRATION-INHIBITORY FACTOR IN PRIMARY AND RECURRENT OCULAR INFECTIONS BY HERPES-SIMPLEX-VIRUS - PRELIMINARY-RESULTS

Using a direct assay of leukocyte migration inhibitory factor (LMIF), cell-mediated immunity to herpes simplex virus (HSV) antigen was measured in patients who had primary and recurrent ocular HSV infections. Those with primary and recurrent epithelial disease had a significantly lower production of LMIF than a control population that had had no herpetic infection for at least a year or longer (P<0.001). On the contrary, patients with deep stromal involvement and anterior uveitis showed significant migration inhibition with HSV antigen, similar to the one found in the healthy control group. The clinical and possible therapeutic implications of these findings are discussed. © 1979 Springer-Verlag.