Nosocomial conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus type 4.

An outbreak of conjunctivitis caused by adenovirus type 4 (AV 4) occurred in hospital personnel who had contact with a patient with AV 4 pneumonia. Nine ill individuals were identified. AV 4 infection was demonstrated in all by isolation of AV 4 and/or a fourfold or greater rise in serum titer of specific neutralizing antibody. The incubation period was seven to 10 days, and the illness lasted five to seven days. Infectious virus was regularly present in the affected eyes for one week but not usually for more than 10 days after the onset of symptoms. Visual disturbance persisted for at least five months in one patient, who developed subepithelial deposits. The outbreak occurred after isolation procedures were abandoned in the care of the patient. No secondary case appeared. Isolation of patients with adenovirus pneumonia and barrier nursing are recommended as practical means of preventing nosocomial adenoviral infection and its consequences.