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Adenovirus type 8 keratoconjunctivitis--an outbreak and its treatment with topical human fibroblast interferon
Abstract:
An outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis is described which involved at least 186 people; adenovirus type 8 was identified in 50 of the cases. Topical human fibroblast interferon was assessed in a double-blind, placebo-controlled study in which 34 patients participated. Seventeen of the 34 trial patients yielded adenovirus type 8; three were infected with adenovirus type 7. The outbreak was curtailed by control of infection measures: principally careful hand-washing by medical personnel between cases and by discouraging attendance of new cases at the Eye Infirmary. Consequently the trial numbers are small. In addition there was a wide interpatient variation in the severity of infection. Therefore it was not possible to make any statistically valid conclusions concerning the recovery rate of patients receiving interferon or placebo.
Insights
An adenovirus type 8 outbreak affected 186 people. A small trial of human fibroblast interferon for keratoconjunctivitis showed no statistically valid conclusions due to limited patient numbers and varied infection severity.
Area of Science:
- Ophthalmology
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- An outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis, primarily caused by adenovirus type 8, affected at least 186 individuals.
- Adenovirus type 8 was identified in 50 cases during the outbreak.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of topical human fibroblast interferon in treating adenovirus-induced keratoconjunctivitis.
- To evaluate recovery rates in patients receiving interferon versus placebo.
Main Methods:
- A double-blind, placebo-controlled study was conducted with 34 patients.
- Adenovirus typing was performed on patient samples; 17 yielded adenovirus type 8, and 3 had adenovirus type 7.
Main Results:
- The study enrolled a small number of patients (34) due to effective infection control measures.
- Significant interpatient variation in infection severity complicated the analysis.
- Statistical validity regarding interferon's efficacy could not be established.
Conclusions:
- Effective infection control measures, including hand-washing and discouraging clinic attendance, curtailed the outbreak.
- The study could not determine if human fibroblast interferon improves recovery rates for keratoconjunctivitis.
- Further research with larger patient cohorts is needed to evaluate interferon's therapeutic potential.