RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 Prevalence of acute conjunctivitis caused by chlamydia, adenovirus, and herpes simplex virus in an ophthalmic casualty department.
JF British Journal of Ophthalmology
JO Br J Ophthalmol
FD BMJ Publishing Group Ltd.
SP 653
OP 655
DO 10.1136/bjo.68.9.653
VO 68
IS 9
A1 Wishart, P K
A1 James, C
A1 Wishart, M S
A1 Darougar, S
YR 1984
UL http://bjo.bmj.com/content/68/9/653.abstract
AB The causes of acute conjunctivitis in 140 consecutive patients attending an ophthalmic casualty department in London were investigated. Laboratory evidence of infection with Chlamydia trachomatis, adenovirus, or herpes simplex virus was found in 52 (37%) cases. In 70 cases (50%) no evidence of infection with these agents was found. In the remaining 18 cases (13%) laboratory results were inconclusive. The importance of these findings, the role of laboratory investigations in the differential diagnosis of acute conjunctivitis, and their cost-benefit are discussed.