Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a common adenovirus disease that causes infection and subsequent inflammatory responses in the ocular adnexa, conjunctiva, and cornea. Adenoviruses are nonenveloped, double-stranded DNA viruses—seven species (A to G) and 54 serotypes have been identified. These viruses incorporate within host cells and use host cell organelles for replication. However, it appears that it is the protein coating surrounding the virus that is most inflammatory in the eye, and not the viral DNA or viral replication. These viruses can be easily transmitted and are resilient to standard disinfection techniques.

EKC is the most serious form of ocular adenoviral infections and is most commonly caused by adenovirus species D, types 8 and 19, and less frequently by type 37; however, multiple serotypes are capable of producing a similar clinical presentation. EKC can be transmitted by close personal contact, as well as by contaminated surfaces and ophthalmic instruments. The incubation period is typically 5 to 10 days following inoculation of the conjunctiva. Because of the low natural immunity against these viruses, the general population is at significant risk for infection.

Adenoviruses account for 65% to 90% of all cases of viral conjunctivitis.

EKC usually occurs in young adults, ages 20 to 40 years, but children and the aged may also become infected.

A history of association with other individuals with acute onset of red eyes is significant. Associated systemic findings such as an upper respiratory tract infection or fever are possible, but less common with EKC than with other viral eye diseases.

EKC is most common in the fall and winter months.

Laboratory confirmation of adenovirus is usually not necessary but can be made via a number of methods, including immunofluorescent techniques, immunoperoxidase techniques, serum titers to virus antibodies, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), enzyme immune assay, and direct inoculation to animal and human cell cultures. These techniques are infrequently needed and are seldom used clinically. If in-office diagnostic confirmation is desired, the RPS Adeno Detector is a commercially available product that tests for adenovirus antigen found in the external ocular environment. The test is readily available, takes about 10 minutes, and is noninvasive (www.rpsdetectors.com).

Giemsa staining typically yields lymphocytes in the absence of a pseudo or true membrane. If a membrane is present, polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMNs) may predominate. Eosinophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies may be present early, with basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies appearing late.

The virus can survive on nonporous surfaces (i.e., tonometer tips, countertops, magazine covers) for up to 34 days. It was initially named “shipyard disease” because of its epidemic occurrence within populations living in close proximity (first described in shipyards and military compounds). Adenovirus is commonly spread by hand-to-eye contact or from contaminated ophthalmic instruments that come into contact with the eye. Because of the contagious nature of this disease, a 2-week quarantine should be imposed on infected health care workers or other personnel who have contact with the public. Clinicians should be careful to disinfect any instrumentation that comes into contact with the patient. Care should be taken to avoid spread of the disease via vectors such as tissues, towels, or pillows. Frequent hand washing is mandatory.

There are no known cures for adenoviral infections; thus, treatment is aimed at prevention and support. Patients should be advised that their condition may worsen before it improves.

Cool compresses and artificial tears may help in alleviating symptoms, as may the application of topical vasoconstrictors (i.e., naphazoline drops four to six times per day). Topical antiviral agents have historically not been effective or useful for EKC. However, ganciclovir ophthalmic gel 0.15% (Zirgan, Sirion Therapeutics) has demonstrated activity against adenovirus. Small studies have shown that ganciclovir-treated patients showed significantly shorter mean time to recovery versus controls.

The use of corticosteroid drops is controversial, as steroids only mask the symptoms of the infection and may promote viral replication and prolong viral shedding. It may, however, be appropriate to use medium-potency (FML Forte, Flarex, Lotemax) or high-potency (prednisolone acetate 1%) corticosteroid drops to quiet the initial inflammatory response during the first 2 weeks, which are then rapidly tapered. Steroid use may be especially helpful in the presence of conjunctival membranes. Rarely, steroid therapy may be reinstituted at a later date for treatment of severe subepithelial opacification (prolonged or severe symptoms, significant visual loss), but steroid use may also prolong the duration of the disease. In addition, steroids can produce unwanted side effects (i.e., corneal immunosuppression, intraocular pressure [IOP] elevations, and cataracts), and tapering is often difficult as a result of inflammatory rebound.

Topical antibiotics (e.g., erythromycin ointment) may be utilized to prevent a secondary bacterial infection but may have the unintended consequences of fostering antibiotic resistance. Some clinicians have used off-label applications of 5% Betadine solution (povidone-iodine) to treat this condition, but published clinical trials have failed to actively support its use for this indication. However, a povidone-iodine 0.4% and dexamethasone 0.1% ophthalmic suspension (Foresight Biotherapeutics) is in development, and preliminary results show a reduction in both inflammatory and infectious components of the disease.

Pharyngoconjunctival fever (PCF) is an infection and subsequent inflammatory response in the conjunctiva and cornea to several serotypes of adenovirus. The disease usually presents unilaterally, but the fellow eye is ultimately involved in approximately 50% of cases. The disease is highly communicable.

PCF is most commonly caused by adenovirus serotypes 3, 4, and 7 and less commonly by types 1, 5, 6, and 14. However, all serotypes of adenovirus are capable of producing PCF in rare instances.

Although any age can be affected, PCF tends to occur more frequently in children and may become epidemic in schools as a result of the highly contagious nature of the virus. For this reason, infected children should be quarantined for at least 2 weeks or until no fever or ocular discharge is present.

Transmission often occurs via droplets, or it may be water borne via hot tubs or swimming pools. Intrafamilial transmission is not uncommon. Chlorination of pools does not significantly inhibit the virus. Fecal contamination of swimming pools may be responsible for outbreaks.

Association with children or other individuals with an acute onset of red eyes is significant. History of swimming in contaminated pools could be important.

Confirmation of adenovirus can be made via a number of methods, including immunofluorescent techniques, immunoperoxidase techniques, serum titers to virus antibodies, and direct inoculation to animal and human cell cultures. These techniques are seldom required and infrequently used.

Treatment of PCF relies on supportive measures and isolation of affected individuals. Cool compresses, artificial tears, and vasoconstrictors (e.g., naphazoline drops four to six times per day) may be of some value. The disease is self-limiting in approximately 21 days with no ocular sequelae anticipated; therefore, drugs such as corticosteroids are usually not necessary.

Prevention of disease relies on prompt diagnosis, quarantine of affected individuals, and frequent hand washing. In addition, use of separate hand towels, pillows, eating utensils, and washcloths by infected patients is important.

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) is a viral infection and subsequent inflammation of the conjunctiva, cornea, and lids. The acute and rapid inflammatory response causes petechial or subconjunctival hemorrhages giving the descriptive name to the disease. In addition to conjunctival secretions, transmission of the virus by respiratory and oral routes accounts for the rapid and extensive spread of the disease during an outbreak.

AHC is caused by inoculation of the conjunctiva with enterovirus 70 (EV-70) or coxsackie virus A24 (CA-24). The infection is most commonly the result of hand-to-eye contamination or contact with fomites. The disease is extremely contagious and has occurred in epidemic or pandemic proportions in dense population centers. Epidemics of AHC have been documented since 1969 when it was first seen in Ghana and given the
name “Apollo II” conjunctivitis (this was during the U.S. Apollo space missions). It was later more descriptively named AHC. The incubation period for AHC is very short, consisting of 1 to 2 days with a rapid onset of signs and symptoms. Resolution usually occurs within 7 to 14 days after onset.

AHC affects men and women equally, and all age groups are susceptible with highest predilection for those in the early teenage years. The disease tends to be epidemic and affects populations that are living in very close quarters without proper hygiene.

An association with others who have a similar ocular presentation is significant because of the very contagious nature of AHC.

Diagnosis is usually made on a clinical basis; however, viral isolation is highest during the first week of the infection.

Conjunctival scrapings typically yield the presence of lymphocytes in the smear.

Treatment for AHC is largely supportive since the disease is self-limiting with very rare ocular sequelae. The use of analgesics, ocular astringents, cool compresses, and lubricants may make the patient more comfortable during the acute phases of the disease.

Since the disease is highly contagious, the patient should be quarantined for 7 to 10 days following the onset of symptoms.

Topical corticosteroids have not demonstrated a significant advantage because of the typically short course of the disease. Exceptions might include membrane or psuedomembrane formation or the development of subepithelial corneal infiltrates overlying the visual axis. However, steroids may predispose the patient to a corneal superinfection, thus increasing the risk of microbial keratitis. The use of corticosteroids should always be evaluated related to their relative risks and benefits.

Patients should be educated on proper hygiene including using their own hand towels, face towels, and pillowcases. The patient should limit touching of his or her eyes, and hand washing should be performed frequently.

On occasion, secondary bacterial infections may arise. The presence of a purulent discharge may signal a secondary bacterial infection. These infections should be treated with appropriate antibiotics; however, the use of antibiotics to treat AHC without the development of a secondary bacterial infection is not necessary and should be avoided.

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a ubiquitous DNA virus that affects the majority of the population by a very young age. Transmission of the virus occurs by direct contact with infected lesions, by salivary droplets, by fomites, and by healthy, asymptomatic carriers. Incubation period, between contact and disease, is 3 to 9 days.

While the primary infection may be mild or subclinical in nature, the virus may reactivate and ultimately involve various ocular structures. Potential manifestations include blepharitis, conjunctivitis, corneal epithelial disease, stromal disease, neurotrophic (metaherpetic) ulceration, endotheliitis, trabeculitis, uveitis, and/or retinitis. Active viral replication, pathogenicity of the virus, and host immune responses are major factors of recurrent ocular herpes.

There are two types of HSV that affect humans, HSV-1 and HSV-2. HSV-1 commonly causes labialis and ocular manifestations and is transferred by direct contact with cold sores, saliva, or fomites. HSV-2 is usually genital in nature and is typically acquired by sexual contact or may be transferred to an infant during birth. The initial HSV-1 infection may involve the face, mouth, eye, or nose and is often obscure, with the virus becoming dormant in the trigeminal ganglion or remaining latent in the skin or cornea. HSV-2 is harbored in the sacral ganglion.

Note: It was once held that recurrent eruptions were triggered by physical
or emotional stress, febrile illnesses, fatigue, trauma, exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays, contact lens wear, surgery, steroids, menstruation, and/or certain foods. However, the association and significance of these factors have not been well documented.