RAPID DIAGNOSIS OF ADENOVIRAL CONJUNCTIVITIS ON CONJUNCTIVAL SWABS BY10-MINUTE IMMUNOCHROMATOGRAPHY

Purpose: Several methods are available for the diagnosis of acute conj unctivitis, all of which are time-consuming or require the use of a we ll-equipped laboratory, A new method, immunochromatography (IC), for d etecting the presence of adenovirus (Ad) has been developed, Two direc t rapid tests to detect Ad antigen, IC and enzyme immunoassay (EIA), w ere compared with regard to sensitivity, specificity, and technical co mplexity, Methods: The study materials consisted of 130 swabs from pat ients with conjunctivitis (95 samples of adenoviral conjunctivitis pro ven by positive virus DNA on polymerase chain reaction [PCR], 35 sampl es of nonadenoviral conjunctivitis proven by PCR), Ic is a one-step pr ocedure that detects the presence of adenoviral antigen by sandwich EI A on a paper disc. Results: In 95 adenoviral DNA-positive samples by P CR, the sensitivity and specificity of IC were 54.7% and 97.1%, respec tively, whereas those of EIA were 50.5% and 100%, respectively. By IC, PCR-positive Ad type 3 was recognized in 31%; Ad4 in 100%; Ad7 in 60% ; Ad8 in 67%; and Ad37 in 59%, showing similar positivity rates for di fferent serotypes (except Ad7) tb those using EIA. Visual determinatio n oi the presence of Ad took an average of 10 minutes by IC compared w ith 70 minutes by EIA, Conclusions: These results indicate that IC is a more rapid and easier test compared with EIA, and it has high specif icity. Detection of Ad antigen by this simple and rapid method will se rve physicians as a useful tool for early diagnosis and prevention of adenoviral conjunctivitis.