Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivitis—An Adenovirus Infection

Abstract

Two strains of adenovirus Type 3 were isolated from fifty-nine patients suffering from epidemic kerato-conjunctivitis. Serological examination of a further group of fifty-nine patients revealed that neutralizing antibody to adenovirus Type 8 usually developed when the duration of the disease exceeded 14 days, and that at the same time a smaller number of patients also developed low titre neutralizing antibody to Type 3 adenovirus. From the evidence presented it is suggested that adenovirus Type 8 was the infecting organism in the majority of cases, and that when neutralizing antibody to Types 3, 6 or 7 adenovirus was present this probably represented a non-specific effect of stimulation by a heterotypic strain of adenovirus. Insignificant antibody titres by C.F. tests were frequently associated with high titres of neutralizing antibody hi the late convalescent phase of the illness.I would like to express my gratitude for assistance in obtaining material for the investigation to the following clinicians: Dr J. Winning, Dr J. Marshall, Dr A. Mellick and Dr A. M. W. Thomson of the Eye Infirmary, Glasgow, and to Dr E. McNaught of the Ophthalmic Institution, Glasgow; for supplies of adenovirus seed to Dr B. E. Andrews, Central Public Health Laboratory, Colindale and Dr D. A. J. Tyrrell, Virus Research Laboratory, Sheffield; and for technical assistance to C. McLean, F.I.M.L.T., H. G. Carson, F.I.M.L.T. and J. Kerr.