Epidemic conjunctivitis in Germany, 2004

Abstract

Epidemic conjunctivitis can be associated with viral or bacterial pathogens, whereas epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is caused mainly by adenoviruses type 8,19 and 37. In Germany, the incidence of adenovirus conjunctivitis cases increased from 0.2 per 100 000 inhabitants (in 2001 and 2002) eventually to 0.5 in 2003 and 0.8 in 2004. The detection of adenovirus in conjunctival swabs is notifiable to the local health departments. Data about cases with positive conjunctival swabs are then transmitted to the Robert Koch-Institut. Quality control of data takes place and national surveillance data of confirmed cases with adenovirus conjunctivitis are published. From January to April 2004 the national surveillance system captured an outbreak with 1024 cases (131 laboratory confirmed). Analysis of the national surveillance data showed that in March 2004 the group primarily affected by epidemic keratoconjunctivitis was young men between 18 -29 years old followed by an increased number of notifications from women in the same age group. Meanwhile the German Armed Forces experienced an outbreak of conjunctivitis, almost exclusively without laboratory confirmation, affecting 6378 soldiers. Despite the small number of laboratory confirmed cases it became clear from the analysis of the national surveillance data that person-to-person transmission between young men and similar age groups of the population did occur. Whether the outbreak started within the garrisons of the German Armed Forces or whether it was triggered within these accommodations, there is clearly a need for the national and the military public health institutions to work together on guidelines to handle future challenges.

The Evaluation of Anti-Adenoviral Therapeutic Agents for use in Acute Conjunctivitis

“…Ocular adenoviral infection represents a significant public health problem in the US and worldwide 14,15 Although exact numbers are difficult to determine, estimates from a US survey of outpatient health encounters 4,9 , comparison with epidemiological surveys completed in outside the US 15 and studies of incidence in military recruits 16 suggest that the number of cases of viral conjunctivitis may be as high as 15-20 million per year in the United States. Adenovirus conjunctivitis is a reportable infection in Germany 17 and is classified as a Category IV infectious disease by Japan's National Epidemiological Surveillance of Infectious Diseases (NESID) with mandated collection, analysis and publication of reports on occurrences 18 . Adenoviral transmission between infected and uninfected hosts is particularly efficient in areas of high population density, overcrowding or poor hygiene 19 .…”

“…Adenoviral transmission between infected and uninfected hosts is particularly efficient in areas of high population density, overcrowding or poor hygiene 19 . Studies on the rate of 20 horizontal transmission to asymptomatic family members and close contacts suggest transmissibility of up to 50% 21,22,23 . Adenovirus is spread through droplets from the respiratory tract, stool, saliva and tears.…”

Queratoconjuntivitis por adenovirus generadas a partir de una consulta oftalmológica

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IntroducciónL a patología ocular infecciosa es una entidad clínica muy frecuente, constituyendo la conjuntivitis y queratoconjuntivitis de este origen el 70% de la consulta oftalmológica en el nivel primario en países desarrollados 1,2 , situación que parece ser similar en países en vías de desarrollo, como el nuestro.Los brotes de queratoconjuntivitis epidémica (QCE), principalmente causados por adenovirus (ADV), están ampliamente descritos en la literatura, tanto en Europa como en Estados Unidos de Norteamérica 2,3 . La mayoría de ellos presenta una fuente de infección común que puede ser una consulta oftalmológíca 4-8 o una piscina 9 .

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“…L a patología ocular infecciosa es una entidad clínica muy frecuente, constituyendo la conjuntivitis y queratoconjuntivitis de este origen el 70% de la consulta oftalmológica en el nivel primario en países desarrollados 1,2 , situación que parece ser similar en países en vías de desarrollo, como el nuestro.…”

Investigation of Adenoviruses in Patients with Conjunctivitis by Various Methods

“…Adenoviral eye infections are clinically seen as follicular conjunctivitis, pharyngoconjunctival fever and epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (6). In general; serotypes 1-11, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 22 cause conjunctivitis, serotypes 2,3,4,5,7,8,10,11,19,21,22,29,34, 37, 53, 54, 56 cause epidemic keratoconjunctivitis and serotypes 3, 4 and 7 cause pharyngoconjunctival fever (5,7,8). Outbreaks of adenoviral infections are common (9).…”