[Lacrimal and salivary antioxidants in viral infection].

The activities of antioxidant enzymes in the cornea and tears in patients with ophthalmic herpes and in the saliva in those with herpetic stomatitis were assessed. Impaired inhibition of hydroxy radical and a drop of antioxidant enzymes activities and of the level of ascorbic acid in herpes-infected cornea and tears are factors in the pathogenesis of ophthalmic herpes. Measurements of enzymatic activities in the tears and saliva in herpetic infection are a valuable diagnostic test and a criterion of treatment efficacy.