Lysozyme tear level in patients with herpes simplex virus eye infection.

The lysozyme level in tears of patients with HSV eye infection was examined and correlated with the clinical findings and presence of virus. The concentration of the enzyme in tears of patients during acute attack was 2.83 mg./ml. This value was significantly lower than that in tears from healthy controls (6.1 mg./ml.) and tears from the patient's healthy eye (4.46 mg./ml.). After termination of treatment with either IUDR or poly I:C, the lysozyme level rose to an average of 4.34 mg./ml. During the latent period of the disease the level increased (5.34 mg./ml.), but it remained lower than in healthy subjects who had never suffered from HSV eye infection. This may be an indicator of possible future recurrences.