Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis
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| Keratoconjunctivitis | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Keratoconjunctivitis epidemica |
 | |
| Adenoviral Keratoconjunctivitis | |
| Specialty | Ophthalmology, infectious diseases |
| Symptoms | Red eye, discomfort/irritation, sensitivity to light, watering, blurred vision, discharge[1] |
| Complications | Corneal scarring[2] |
| Usual onset | Sudden in an adult[3] |
| Duration | 7–10 days, can be longer[3] |
| Causes | Adenoviruses, commonly types 8 and 37[3] |
| Diagnostic method | Visualisation, viral culture (with immunofluorescence staining), PCR (to detect viral DNA)[3] |
| Differential diagnosis | Herpes simplex type I, acanthamoeba, fungal infection[4] |
| Prevention | Hand washing[3] |
| Treatment | Cold compress, artificial tears[2] |
| Frequency | Epidemics, common, adults>children[2] |
Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis, also known as epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, is a contagious eye infection, a type of adenovirus disease caused by adenoviruses.[1] It typically presents as a conjunctivitis with a sudden onset of a painful red eye, watery discharge and feeling that something is in the eye.[3] Photophobia develops with blurred vision and lymphadenopathy by the ear nearest the affected eye.[2] It is often associated with a sore throat and stuffy and runny nose, mainly in adults.[3] A type of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in very young children can present with a high fever, sore throat, ear infection, vomiting and diarrhea.[3]
It is commonly caused by types 8 and 37 adenoviruses. Transmission is by contaminated eye examination instruments and eye solutions, touching eyes of infected people, inadequately chlorinated swimming pools, or other contaminated objects.[3] The incubation period is around five to 10 days.[3]
Usually, the condition resolves after 7 to 10 days without treatment.[3] Cold compresses and artificial tears may help.[2] Corneal scarring occurs in up to half of cases and the blurred vision may continue for a long time in some people.[2] The virus may remain in the eye for two to three years after recovering.[3]
It is a common cause of a red eye and tends to occur in large numbers of people at the same time.[2] Adults tend to be affected more frequently than children.[3]
Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis typically presents as a conjunctivitis with a sudden onset of red eye, watery discharge, and a feeling that something is in the eye.[3] Photophobia develops with blurred vision and lymphadenopathy by the ear nearest the affected eye.[2] It is typically associated with a pharyngitis and rhinitis, mainly in adults.[3] A type of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in very young children can present with a high fever, sore throat, ear infection, vomiting and diarrhea.[3]
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is done using cell culture (with immunofluorescence staining) and PCR.[4]
Differential diagnosis
It may appear similar to herpes simplex type I, Acanthamoeba, and fungal infection.[4]
Prevention
Adequate infection control measures should be followed as prevention and to reduce epidemic AKC outbreaks.[5]