title: Allergic conjunctivitis and latent infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate in a large series the incidence of latent infection during chronic allergic conjunctivitis.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a 5-year follow-up prospective, nonrandomized trial, we evaluated 236 patients (472 eyes) with a history of allergic conjunctivitis but without evidence of infection. Conjunctival scrapings were examined cytologically, and antibiograms and antimicrograms were assessed. The 472 eyes were divided into 5 subgroups based on the percent of eosinophilic cells in conjunctival specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Latent concurrent infection was identified in 176 of 472 eyes (37%): Candida albicans (55.2%), Staphylococcus epidermidis (50.9%), Chlamydia trachomatis (30.7%), and Staphylococcus aureus (23%). The incidence of concurrent infection (mainly bacterial infection) strongly correlated with the percent of eosinophilic cells. Concurrent bacterial infection was identified in 26 of 26 cases of the subgroup with the highest percent of eosinophilic cells.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chronic allergic conjunctivitis may be associated with latent infection. Pathogens can stimulate activation of eosinophils with a consequent worsening and chronicity of allergic symptoms.
authors: Eye Department, University Federico II, Naples, Italy. raifor@hotmail.com
authors: Raimondo
authors: R
authors: Forte
authors: Gilda
authors: G
authors: Cennamo
authors: Salvatore
authors: S
authors: Del Prete
authors: Nicoletta
authors: N
authors: Napolitano
authors: Elvira
authors: E
authors: Farese
authors: Antonio
authors: A
authors: Del Prete
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001424:Bacterial Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002175:Candida / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002177:Candidiasis / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002690:Chlamydia Infections; D002692:Chlamydia trachomatis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003228:Conjunctiva / Q000382:microbiology / Q000473:pathology; D003233:Conjunctivitis, Allergic / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004804:Eosinophils / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013203:Staphylococcal Infections; D013211:Staphylococcus aureus / Q000302:isolation & purification; D013212:Staphylococcus epidermidis / Q000302:isolation & purification; D055815:Young Adult