Human adenovirus type 8 epidemic keratoconjunctivitis with large corneal epithelial full-layer detachment: an endemic outbreak with uncommon manifestations

Abstract

Yueh-Chang Lee,1 Nancy Chen,1 I-Tsong Huang,2–4 Hui-Hua Yang,2 Chin-Te Huang,1 Li-Kuang Chen,2–5 Min-Muh Sheu1,6,7 1Department of Ophthalmology, 2Taiwan CDC Collaborating Laboratories of Virology, 3Department of Laboratory Medicine, Buddhist Tzu-Chi General Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan; 4Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, 5Department of Laboratory Diagnosis, 6Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tzu-Chi University, Hualien, Taiwan; 7Department of Ophthalmology, Mennonite Christian Hospital, Hualien, Taiwan Abstract: Epidemic viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious disease that is encountered year-round. The causative agents are mainly adenoviruses and enteroviruses. It occurs most commonly upon infection with subgroup D adenoviruses of types 8, 19, or 37. For common corneal involvement of human adenovirus type 8 epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, full-layer epithelial detachment is rarely seen. Herein, we report three cases of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis during an outbreak which manifested as large corneal epithelial full-layer detachment within a few days. The lesions healed without severe sequelae under proper treatment. The unique manifestation of this outbreak may indicate the evolution of human adenovirus type 8. Keywords: EKC, HAdV-8, cornea, virology, epidemic viral conjunctivitis