[Inflammatory sequelae after adenovirus infection]

Adenovirus infections are common. The period of virus replication is short, hardly ever exceeding two weeks. In 216 patients we studied the post-inflammatory period after infection with adenovirus types 8, 4, 3, 7, 19 and 37, in some patients up to three years. In 49.5%, the initial infection also involved the cornea, in 79.5% bilaterally. In 50.5% there was only follicular conjunctivitis. The post-inflammatory period is most annoying as rather frequently a considerable period of chronic eye irritation can be expected. In our study the number of cases with post-infectious ocular irritation tended to decrease slowly. Treatment with 0.5% methylcellulose was of little help to alleviate the ocular irritation.