Almamoun Abdelkader
To document an outbreak of epidemic adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis (AKC) in southern Saudi Arabia in 2013, its influence in the presentation of the community. To describe a series of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis cases. Observational non-comparative case series selected from an ongoing prospective series. Two hundred and fifty (250) cases examined at a corneal specialty practice in Abha, southern Saudi Arabia between Jan - October 2013, who presented with signs of AKC on slit-lamp examination, were included in the study. The ages of affected patients ranged from 2 to 50 years, but most were between 18 and 35 years old. 250 patients presented a pattern of characteristic epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. In 150 cases, sub-corneal epithelial infiltrates were observed for a period of more than six months. In 40 cases, sub-epithelial infiltrates faded over 2 months. Topical corticosteroids can accelerate the regression of sub epithelial infiltrates. Keratitis was not seen in patients less than ten years of age. AKC was diagnosed from its typical clinical features. The major sequelae are sub epithelial infiltrates, which are difficult to treat. Multiple treatments have been tried for this disease, but none of them seems to be completely effective. Prevention is the most reliable way to control this contagious infection.
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