Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivitis—An Adenovirus Infection

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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.