Pattern of Adenoviral Conjunctivitis Reported to Tertiary Care Hospitals During Epidemic in Pakistan

Abstract

Purpose: To determine clinical pattern of “adenoviral conjunctivitis” during its epidemic in Pakistan.

Patients and Methods: 370 patients (550eyes) diagnosed with “adenoviral conjunctivitis” were included in this descriptive study. Diagnosis was made by the combination of characteristic clinical features and a positive conjunctival swab PCR for “adenovirus”. Clinical pattern of “adenoviral conjunctivitis” was determined by documenting various patient characteristics. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.

Results: Median age of the study participants was 28.50 (1.00 – 67.00) years. 195 (52.70%) were males and 175 (47.30%) were females. 190 (51.35%) patients had unilateral ocular involvement, while 180 (48.65%) patients had bilateral ocular involvement. Median number of family members of patients that were infected simultaneously was 1 (0-5). Frequency of patients with “adenoviral conjunctivitis” who had concomitant corneal involvement was 30 (8.1%)

Conclusion: Epidemic of “adenoviral conjunctivitis” in Pakistan, fortunately, exhibits a milder and benign clinical pattern with higher prevalence in males and mostly involving single eye. In addition, only 8.1% patients have concomitant corneal involvement.