External ocular herpesvirus infections in immunodeficiency.

Infections of the eye with members of the herpes family of viruses (e.g. HSV, CMV, VZV) are frequent manifestations of acquired and inherited defects in cell mediated immunity. Herpesvirus infections in the immunocompromised may reflect frequent viral reactivation from the latent state, as well as extensive productive infection of ocular structures following reactivation or primary infection. A review of experimental and clinical studies of both acquired and inherited immune dysfunction implicates specific immune mechanisms influencing the establishment of latency, viral reactivation and the control of active viral replication in ocular tissues.