Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is an ocular surface infection caused by adenovirus. To date, there are no approved topical antiadenoviral therapeutics to treat EKC. Recent research reveals that treatment with topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief of EKC enhances adenovirus replication...

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Main Author: Andria M. Pihos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elsevier 2013-04-01
Series:Journal of Optometry
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1888429612000921
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author Andria M. Pihos
author_facet Andria M. Pihos
author_sort Andria M. Pihos
collection DOAJ
description Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is an ocular surface infection caused by adenovirus. To date, there are no approved topical antiadenoviral therapeutics to treat EKC. Recent research reveals that treatment with topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief of EKC enhances adenovirus replication and delays cell shedding from the ocular surface which delays adenovirus elimination. The current management of EKC largely revolves around accurate diagnosis of the condition and implementation of disinfection protocol to prevent its spread. Development of an effective antiviral treatment that addresses inflammation and does not prolong viral shedding would provide significant benefit. The literature reports on a variety of therapeutics that could potentially satisfy this deficiency. Topical ganciclovir and povidone-iodine combination drops have shown the most recent potential, but both therapeutics need to be investigated in larger scale studies. Until an antiadenoviral option is produced, the treatment of EKC should maintain a judicious case by case approach aiming to contain its dissemination and prevent visual consequences.
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spelling doaj.art-4a4be26ed14f4da6935c868088bc7c9a2022-12-21T19:37:34ZengElsevierJournal of Optometry1888-42962013-04-0162697410.1016/j.optom.2012.08.003Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in managementAndria M. PihosEpidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is an ocular surface infection caused by adenovirus. To date, there are no approved topical antiadenoviral therapeutics to treat EKC. Recent research reveals that treatment with topical corticosteroids for symptomatic relief of EKC enhances adenovirus replication and delays cell shedding from the ocular surface which delays adenovirus elimination. The current management of EKC largely revolves around accurate diagnosis of the condition and implementation of disinfection protocol to prevent its spread. Development of an effective antiviral treatment that addresses inflammation and does not prolong viral shedding would provide significant benefit. The literature reports on a variety of therapeutics that could potentially satisfy this deficiency. Topical ganciclovir and povidone-iodine combination drops have shown the most recent potential, but both therapeutics need to be investigated in larger scale studies. Until an antiadenoviral option is produced, the treatment of EKC should maintain a judicious case by case approach aiming to contain its dissemination and prevent visual consequences.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1888429612000921AdenovirusEpidemic keratoconjunctivitisPseudomembraneSubepithelial infiltratesAdenovirus shedding
spellingShingle Andria M. Pihos
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management
Journal of Optometry
Adenovirus
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
Pseudomembrane
Subepithelial infiltrates
Adenovirus shedding
title Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management
title_full Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management
title_fullStr Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management
title_full_unstemmed Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management
title_short Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis: A review of current concepts in management
title_sort epidemic keratoconjunctivitis a review of current concepts in management
topic Adenovirus
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
Pseudomembrane
Subepithelial infiltrates
Adenovirus shedding
url http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1888429612000921
work_keys_str_mv AT andriampihos epidemickeratoconjunctivitisareviewofcurrentconceptsinmanagement