Herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) is the etiological agent of
herpetic keratitis. The epithelial form ("epithelial
keratitis") is attributed mainly to destruction of the epithelium through active viral replication within the epithelium. The stromal form ("stromal
keratitis") is associated with immune reactions within the stroma and is the common cause of human
blindness. In the present study, 29 HSV-1 strains isolated from human ocular materials of
herpetic keratitis were classified into 14 genotypes on the basis of
DNA polymorphisms. Twenty-one of 29 (72%) strains from eyes examined in the present study were of genotypes that were shown previously to be present in strains from non-ocular lesions (including
genital herpes). Five of nine (56%) strains from eyes related to stromal
keratitis were of the F1 genotype, while four of twenty (20%) strains from eyes not related to stromal
keratitis were of the F1 genotype. Thus, the proportion of F1 genotype was assumed to be larger in the group of strains related to stromal
keratitis than in that not so related, suggesting an association of the F1 genotype with stromal
keratitis. A connection of F1 genotype with recurrence was proposed previously; hence, F1 genotype seems to be associated to both stromal
keratitis and the recurrence, thereby supporting the relationship between stromal
keratitis and recurrence.