Adenovirus types 8 and 19 infection of rabbit corneal organ cultures

Adenovirus types 8 and 19 are responsible for a large number of cases of acute follicular conjunctivitis, mainly in the form of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC). This study successfully demonstrates the establishment of adenovirus infection in rabbit corneal organ cultures. Normal rabbit corneas were maintained in culture without significant morphologic alterations for up to 7 weeks. Adenovirus types 8 and 19 replication in rabbit corneas was demonstrated by viral growth curves and subpassage studies. Intracellular localization of adenoviral antigens was confirmed with immunofluorescent techniques. The characteristic cytopathic effects of adenoviral infection were observed with the use of various histochemical stains. Thus an in vitro corneal organ culture model was established for the study of the pathogenesis of corneal lesions in adenovirus EKC.