THE EFFECT OF PROSPECTIVE HLA‐A AND ‐B MATCHING IN 288 PENETRATING KERATOPLASTIES FOR HERPES SIMPLEX KERATITIS

Authors:
  • PLP. De Lange
    P. De Lange
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Abstract
A retrospective review of 288 penetrating keratoplasties (PKP) for herpes simplex keratitis demonstrated a 60.4% survival rate of clear grafts at 3 years. A highly significant difference in corneal graft survival in severely vascularized corneas (57.1 % at 3 years) versus non‐ or slightly vascularized corneas (82.8% at 3 years) was observed (P = 0.009). Prospectively HLA‐A and ‐B matched grafts in vascularized corneas revealed a significantly improved graft survival when compared to unmatched grafts (P = 0.035). Corneal graft survival in eyes grafted ‘à chaud’ was not significantly below the graft survival of vascularized corneas with a clinically non‐active herpetic corneal disease. Recurrence of herpes simplex in the graft was observed in an earlier post‐operative period in HLA‐A and ‐B matched grafts (P = 0.0004).

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