Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis
| 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, spread by contaminated eye examination instruments and eye solutions, touching eyes by infected people, from inadequately chlorinated swimming pools, or other contaminated objects.[3] The incubation period is around five to 10 days.[3]
Usually, the condition is better after a week 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 2–3 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]
Signs and symptoms
[edit]It typically presents as a conjunctivitis with a sudden onset of 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 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
[edit]The diagnosis of Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is done using cell culture (with immunofluorescence staining) and PCR.[4]
Differential diagnosis
[edit]It may appear similar to herpes simplex type I, Acanthamoeba, and fungal infection.[4]
Prevention
[edit]Adequate infection control measures should be followed as prevention and to reduce epidemic AKC outbreaks.[5]
Treatment
[edit]![[icon]](/wiki/File:Wiki_letter_w_cropped.svg){kind=small} | This section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (February 2025) |
Epidemiology
[edit]Globally it is the commonest 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]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Burrow, Michael K.; Patel, Bhupendra C. (2022). "Keratoconjunctivitis". StatPearls. StatPearls Publishing. PMID 31194419.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i Bawazeer, Ahmed (4 June 2019). "Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC)". Medscape. Archived from the original on 21 April 2021. Retrieved 16 July 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Shieh, Wun-Ju (10 September 2021). "Human adenovirus infections in pediatric population - An update on clinico-pathologic correlation". Biomedical Journal. 45 (1): S2319–4170(21)00109–8. doi:10.1016/j.bj.2021.08.009. ISSN 2320-2890. PMC 9133246. PMID 34506970. S2CID 237479412.
- ^ a b c Pihos, Andria M. (April 2013). "Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management". Journal of Optometry. 6 (2): 69–74. doi:10.1016/j.optom.2012.08.003. ISSN 1888-4296. PMC 3880539.
- ^ Reinhard, Thomas; Larkin, Frank (28 January 2006). Cornea and External Eye Disease. Springer. ISBN 9783540312260. Archived from the original on 11 January 2023. Retrieved 22 March 2015.