Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis. Correlation of Epidemiologic Data and Results of Serum Virus Neutralization Tests

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Abstract
Sera obtained during the first week of illness from patients with typical acute epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, who subsequently developed corneal opacities, show no neutralization. The same is true of the groups of control individuals studied. The sera of all convalescent cases (6-10 weeks after onset) and 40% of sera from cases taken 5 months after onset of illness, showed definite neutralization. Of particular significance was the marked rise in antibody titer shown by 15 of the patients tested during the 1st week of illness, and then 6 to 10 weeks later. The sera of all these persons were negative on the 1st test, but on 2d test showed at least 1,000 neutralizing doses. Two of this group developed titers of 100,000 neutralizing doses. Of the 3 healthy contacts showing neutralization in the 10-4 dilution, or 100 neutralizing doses, one represents the plant ophthalmologist who handled the large majority of cases; the other 2 were intimate household associates of severe cases, who had nursed the patients during their acute illnesses. The data support the conclusion that the virus isolated by Sanders is etiologically related to the disease.

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