Rapid diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis by a fully automated molecular assay.
OBJECTIVE
To establish and evaluate a new test system for rapid detection and diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.


METHODS
After establishment of the molecular assay, 52 conjunctival smears were studied.


METHODS
Samples were derived from patients with a clinical presentation compatible with keratoconjunctivitis.


METHODS
A molecular assay for detection of human adenovirus (HAdV) based on automated nucleic acid extraction and real time polymerase chain reaction was established and evaluated. The new assay included a heterologous internal control.


METHODS
Statement about the presence or absence of adenoviral DNA in the specimen.


RESULTS
The amplification efficiency was found to be 100%. The detection limit was calculated to be 116 copies per LightCycler capillary. When clinical specimens were tested, 15 of 52 conjunctival smears were found to be positive for HAdV DNA. The internal control was detected in all samples.


CONCLUSIONS
The new molecular assay proved to be suitable for rapid diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in the routine diagnostic laboratory.
Koidl
Christoph
C
Institute of Hygiene, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
Bozic
Michael
M
Mossböck
Georg
G
Mühlbauer
Gerhard
G
Berg
Jörg
J
Stöcher
Markus
M
Dehnhardt
Jasmin
J
Marth
Egon
E
Kessler
Harald H
HH
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001331:Automation; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003236:Conjunctivitis, Viral / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000821:virology; D003320:Corneal Ulcer / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000821:virology; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000737:chemistry; D015342:DNA Probes / Q000737:chemistry; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D017931:DNA Primers; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic