In 2010 the department of Biochemistry, with financial support of the Research Development Fund (RDF) of the Anton de Kom University of Suriname, has set up the testing of Herpes Simplex Virus in ocular samples in Suriname.

Keratitis, conjunctivitis, uveitis and scleritis can be caused either by allergy, trauma, viral or bacterial infections and are clinically difficult to distinguish. This test can provide the ophthalmologist with conclusive answers about a viral cause, leading to timely treatment of positive patients with anti-viral drugs and eye damage can be limited. The test, which also distinguishes between HSV-1, HSV-2 and Varicella Zoster infection, has been added to the service package of the Medical Scientific Institute in February 2011.

Publication:
Incidence of Alpha-Herpes virus induced ocular disease in Suriname
[Journal of Medical Virology 84, 1937 – 1942 (2012)]