title: Topical human fibroblast interferon for acute adenoviral conjunctivitis.
abstract: We conducted a prospective, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial investigating the use of topical human fibroblast interferon (HuIFN-beta) 7.5 x 10(5) IU/ml, one drop 5 times daily, in the treatment of acute epidemic conjunctivitis. Of 50 patients who were initially enrolled, tear-film cultures for adenovirus were positive from 26% for type 8, 12, or 19. Based upon a quantifiable conjunctivitis severity score of 37 patients evaluated after approximately 1 week of therapy, analysis of covariance showed a statistically significant greater improvement with topical HuIFN-beta compared with placebo for affected left eyes (P = 0.02) but not for right eyes (P = 0.5), an effect that could not be adequately explained. We suggest that a higher dosage of topical HuIFN-beta may prove useful in the control of more severely affected cases. This trial provides guidelines for future investigations of interferon in the treatment and prophylaxis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.
authors.affiliation: Cullen Eye Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030.
authors.forename: K R
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Wilhelmus
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Dunkel
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Herson
mesh_terms: D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000628:therapy*; D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000628:therapy*; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007370:Interferon Type I / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D007637:Keratoconjunctivitis / Q000628:therapy; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions
chemical_list: D007370:Interferon Type I; D009883:Ophthalmic Solutions