Seropositivity of human herpesvirus-8 in patients with uveitis

Purpose: To explore the role of human herpesvirus-8 (HHV-8) in the pathogenesis of uveitis and other forms of ocular inflammation. Methods: Serum antibody titers to HHV-8 were measured in 76 patients with uveitis from various causes and other types of ocular inflammation in either the acute phase, the convalescent phase, or both. Results: Only one 21-year-old male patient in the convalescent phase of unilateral pars planitis showed a positive titer for HHV-8. His serum was negative for human immunodeficiency virus-1. Conclusions: Although the seropositive rate in the patient population was higher than that in the general population, the increased incidence was not statistically significant. The role of HHV-8 in the pathogenesis of intraocular inflammation appears to be limited.