Rapid immunofluorescence diagnosis of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis caused by enterovirus 70

During 1981-1982, epidemics of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) occurred in and around Chandigarh, India. Conjunctival swabs were taken from AHC cases and investigated by the indirect immunofluorescence method both in Chandigarh and in Houston. By using reference antiserum, both laboratories proved enterovirus type 70 to be the causative agent of the epidemics. The immunofluorescence test was evaluated as a rapid method for the diagnosis of AHC.