1/5. Characterisation of hexon and fibre genes of a novel strain of adenovirus involved in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.AIMS: To characterise a novel strain (M86) of adenovirus (Ad) involved in epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). methods/RESULTS: The virus strain was neutralised by antisera to both Ad35 and Ad11. Restriction endonuclease analysis of genomic dna showed 98% and 88% homology with Ad11 and Ad35, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequence of the hypervariable regions of (HVRs) of the hexon gene showed a higher homology with Ad35 (94.4%) than with Ad11 (83.7%). However, it was 100% homologous to Ad35 in HVRs 1, 2, 3, and 6 and to Ad11 in HVRs 4 and 6. In the fibre knob, the isolate was more homologous to Ad11 (99.4%) than to Ad35 (29.1%). CONCLUSION: This novel strain of adenovirus showed similarities with both Ad11 and Ad35. The isolation of a novel strain like Ad35 11 is important because of its association with EKC.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1keywords = keratoconjunctivitis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
2/5. Diffuse lamellar keratitis and corneal edema associated with viral keratoconjunctivitis 2 years after laser in situ keratomileusis.A 47-year-old woman with a history of laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) 2 years previously for myopia and astigmatism, presented with bilateral loss of vision due to diffuse lamellar keratitis (DLK) with corneal edema in the context of a pseudomembranous viral keratoconjunctivitis. After intense and early treatment with topical corticosteroids, the corneal edema and DLK resolved and corneal transparency was achieved with complete restoration of visual acuity. This case shows that DLK may occur associated with a viral pseudomembranous keratoconjunctivitis in patients who have had LASIK. Diffuse lamellar keratitis may present up to 2 years after lamellar surgery, which would indicate that the plane created by the microkeratome at the interface may remain unhealed for at least this period of time. early diagnosis and treatment with topical corticosteroids can achieve complete resolution without visual loss.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.2keywords = keratoconjunctivitis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
3/5. Viral conjunctivitis interfering with the clinical activity score and management of thyroid ophthalmopathy.INTRODUCTION: The management of Graves' ophthalmopathy is shared between endocrinologists and ophthalmologists. Assessment and treatment of the active inflammatory stage is based on the clinical activity and disease severity scores, often without detailed eye examination by the treating endocrinologist. MATERIALS AND methods: We report a case of acute viral keratoconjunctivitis occurring during immunosuppressive treatment for Graves' ophthalmopathy which masked the signs, symptoms and response to treatment of the orbitopathy, posing a differential diagnostic challenge. RESULTS: The apparent worsening of the ophthalmopathy and the increased clinical activity score led the treating endocrinologist to alter the management decisions. Ophthalmic examination confirmed the diagnosis of viral keratoconjunctivitis and immunosuppressive treatment was continued with significant final improvement of Graves' ophthalmopathy. DISCUSSION: Ocular surface conditions, unrecognised by the treating physician, may complicate the assessment of thyroid ophthalmopathy when detailed eye examination is not performed. The diagnostic challenge of Graves' ophthalmopathy requires a combined approach by an endocrinologist and an ophthalmologist working as a team.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.4keywords = keratoconjunctivitis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
4/5. Allergy and infections: long-term improvement of vernal keratoconjunctivitis following viral conjunctivitis.PURPOSE: Vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) is a severe, chronic allergic inflammatory disease of the ocular surface poorly responsive to antiallergic treatments and possibly leading to permanent visual impairment. VKC, because of mast cell, eosinophil, and Th2-type inflammation, polyclonal IgE activation, and tissue remodeling, is considered to be a typical Th2- driven disease. Viral infection stimulates a Th1 type immune response, potentially attenuating allergen-induced inflammation. The purpose of this report is to describe the effect of viral keratoconjunctivitis in a patient with VKC. methods: The authors report on a patient with a severe form of VKC, poorly responsive to antiallergic treatments, who developed a viral keratoconjunctivitis. Signs, symptoms, and cytologic findings were recorded during the 5-year follow-up period. RESULTS: The authors observed a prompt and permanent improvement of signs and symptoms of the allergic condition after the viral infection. Conjunctival scraping confirms that the inhibition of the eosinophilic inflammation lasts at least for 5 years. CONCLUSIONS: In this case, the viral infection seemed to induce a clinical recovery of allergic disease, suggesting that an immune deviation induced by Th1-polarizing agents may revert an ongoing Th2 inflammation.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 1.4keywords = keratoconjunctivitis (Clic here for more details about this article) |
5/5. Concurrent adenoviral and herpetic ocular infections.We report two cases of a previously unrecognized clinical entity: concurrent adenoviral and herpetic ocular infection. The first case was recognized clinically by the presence of herpetic keratitis and findings attributable to epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) including lid swelling, pseudomembranous and follicular conjunctivitis, subconjunctival hemorrhages, preauricular lymphadenopathy, and corneal infiltrates. Only herpes simplex virus was recovered by culture. In the second case of apparent EKC (again initially only herpes simplex was isolated) after maintaining virus cultures long enough to isolate adenovirus, the diagnosis of concurrent infection was established when the second virus was isolated.- - - - - - - - - - ranking = 0.2keywords = keratoconjunctivitis (Clic here for more details about this article) |