Evidence of dengue virus in eviscerated specimens of panophthalmitis secondary to dengue fever: A possible cause-effect phenomenon

PURPOSE: To report a retrospective series of three cases of infectious panophthalmitis post-dengue fever with ex vivo confirmation of dengue virus ribonucleic acid (RNA) in the tissues of the eye. METHODS: Four eyes of three patients, who were diagnosed with panophthalmitis following dengue fever and who underwent evisceration, were included. All demographic and clinical data were recorded. The eviscerated samples were subjected to direct microscopy, culture for bacteria, fungi, and parasites, and molecular virology (dengue virus [DENV] NS1-specific reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification (RT-LAMP) assay). RESULTS: The time from the development of dengue fever to the occurrence of ocular symptoms was 4.33 ± 1.15 (median 5) days. DENV NS1 RNA, suggestive of the presence of the dengue virus, was confirmed in all evisceration specimens (uveal tissue, cornea). All the patients recovered completely from dengue fever and on follow-up had healthy eviscerated sockets. CONCLUSION: Demonstration of the DENV RNA in the eviscerated specimens of panophthalmitis following dengue fever implicates the DENV in the pathophysiology of the ocular infection.