Asako Kodama1, Fumitaka Kobayashi1, Hao Yung Yang2, Kazumi Fukagawa3, Hiroyuki Yazu4, Hiroshi Fujishima4,5,6. 1. Department of Ophthalmology, Eiju General Hospital, Tokyo 110-8645, Japan. 2. Smile Eye Clinic, Kanagawa 227-0062, Japan. 3. Ryogoku Eye Clinic, Tokyo 130-0062, Japan. 4. Department of Ophthalmology, Tsurumi University School of Dental Medicine, Kanagawa 230-0063, Japan. 5. Department of Ophthalmology, International University of Health and Welfare Mita Hospital, Tokyo 108-8329, Japan. 6. Fujishima Eye Clinic, Niigata 949-6600, Japan.
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of conjunctivitis can be sometimes difficult, especially in cases of severe conjunctivitis and those involving both eyes. In this study, we performed commercial tests for adenovirus (Capilia Adeno Eye®) and total tear IgE (Allerwatch®) in a single visit in patients with bilateral conjunctivitis to examine if, and by how much, the combination of these two tests would improve the diagnostic accuracy of conjunctivitis. METHODS: The study included sixty patients with relatively severe conjunctivitis in both eyes within a week of consulting our clinic and who had no previous treatment. Capilia Adeno Eye® and Allerwatch® tests were performed. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of cases (55/60) were diagnosed when both tests were evaluated than with either test (Capilia Adeno Eye® (12/60; p < 0.001) or Allerwatch® (44/60; p < 0.005)) alone. The positivity rate of Allerwatch® was significantly higher than that of Capilia Adeno Eye® (p < 0.001). The diagnosis rate of atopic keratoconjunctivitis was 100% in patients with allergic conjunctivitis, but there was no significant difference in positivity compared with other types of allergic conjunctivitis. CONCLUSIONS: Testing patients with both Capilia Adeno Eye® and Allerwatch® improves the diagnostic accuracy for conjunctivitis and can diagnose more than 90% of cases. Detection of adenovirus antigen and IgE in tears, using these simple and rapid methods, will be useful for early diagnosis and prevention of adenoviral conjunctivitis.
INTRODUCTION: Diagnosis of conjunctivitis can be sometimes difficult, especially in cases of severe conjunctivitis and those involving both eyes. In this study, we performed commercial tests for adenovirus (Capilia Adeno Eye®) and total tear IgE (Allerwatch®) in a single visit in patients with bilateral conjunctivitis to examine if, and by how much, the combination of these two tests would improve the diagnostic accuracy of conjunctivitis. METHODS: The study included sixty patients with relatively severe conjunctivitis in both eyes within a week of consulting our clinic and who had no previous treatment. Capilia Adeno Eye® and Allerwatch® tests were performed. RESULTS: A significantly higher number of cases (55/60) were diagnosed when both tests were evaluated than with either test (Capilia Adeno Eye® (12/60; p < 0.001) or Allerwatch® (44/60; p < 0.005)) alone. The positivity rate of Allerwatch® was significantly higher than that of Capilia Adeno Eye® (p < 0.001). The diagnosis rate of atopic keratoconjunctivitis was 100% in patients with allergic conjunctivitis, but there was no significant difference in positivity compared with other types of allergic conjunctivitis. CONCLUSIONS: Testing patients with both Capilia Adeno Eye® and Allerwatch® improves the diagnostic accuracy for conjunctivitis and can diagnose more than 90% of cases. Detection of adenovirus antigen and IgE in tears, using these simple and rapid methods, will be useful for early diagnosis and prevention of adenoviral conjunctivitis.