[Molecular detection of adenovirus type-8 epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in Hungary]

Abstract

Introduction: Both infectious and non-infectious forms of acute conjunctivitis are known. Viruses, especially different types of adenoviruses are the etiological agents of infectious epidemic conjunctivitis (conjunctivitis epidemica).

Aims: The author's aims were to describe an outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis and to detect the viral agent by molecular methods in Hungary.

Materials and methods: Classical epidemiological methods were used for investigation. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) followed by sequencing were used for the detection of adenoviral hexon region from freshly collected conjunctival swabs.

Results: Between 9 October and 18 December 2006, a total of 60 patients became ill with keratoconjunctivitis in 7 settlements in Southwest Hungary. Mean age was 51,2 years. Conjunctivitis (100%), lacrimation (94%), foreign body sensation (83%), and dim vision (76%) were the main clinical symptoms. Both eyes were affected in half of the cases. Direct contact was the main transmission route including nosocomial spread associated with ophthalmology practices. Five (62.5%) of 8 conjunctival swabs were PCR-positive for adenovirus type 8 (HAdV8/Baranya/2006/HUN; EF210714) which was genetically identical to adenovirus strain detected in Austria in 2004 (DQ149614).

Conclusions: The outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis was partially associated with nosocomial infection caused by type 8 adenovirus. Both the recognition of the clinical illness, laboratory diagnosis and public health measures are necessary for the prevention of keratoconjunctivitis infection and epidemic.