title: Rapid diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis by a fully automated molecular assay.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hygiene, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Koidl
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bozic
authors.forename: Georg
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mossböck
authors.forename: Gerhard
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Mühlbauer
authors.forename: Jörg
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Berg
authors.forename: Markus
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stöcher
authors.forename: Jasmin
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dehnhardt
authors.forename: Egon
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Marth
authors.forename: Harald H
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Kessler
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D017931:DNA Primers; D015342:DNA Probes; D004279:DNA, Viral; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic