Modified Treatment for Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis

Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a form of adenovirus ophthalmic infection. EKC is highly infectious and has a frequency to happen in epidemics. Higher than 54 human serotypes of adenovirus have been separated, and sorted into six species based on biological and genetic properties from (A-F). Not less than 19 adenovirus serotypes can cause EKC, the most common known serotypes includes 8, 19, and 37 and less frequently serotypes 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 20, 22 30, 32, 33 and 39 from species D, serotypes 2-5 from species C and serotypes 7, 16 and 21 from species B1 [1]. 

Adenovirus serotypes 8 and 19 are accountable for EKC and they are extremely infectious for about two weeks [2]. As well as serotype type 37 is a major agent of EKC and was known to be the main cause of the disease in Japan [3]. The incubation period is ranged from 2 days and up to two weeks, the patient may remain infectious for two weeks after symptoms emerged. It is identified by conjunctivitis and keratitis. Conjunctivitis has acute onset of the following symptoms; watering discharge, redness, foreign body sensation and discomfort. The signs consist of lid edema, follicular conjunctivitis, and subconjunctival hemorrhage and pseudo membrane formation with a preauricular lymphadenopathy in the majority of patients [4]. EKC may be presented in both of eyes in about 60 % of cases [5]. Keratitisoccurs in around 80 % of cases and divided into three stages: - Stage one, which appears in the second week or within 7-10 days of symptoms onset and in the form of diffuse punctate epithelial Keratitis. Stage two, which evolve under the epithelial lesions in the form of focal white subepithelial infiltrates. They are assumed to be immune response to the virus and might be associated with mild anterior uveitis [6]. Stage three, in the form of anterior stromal infiltrates which may persist for months and even years [7]. 

EKC is not only presented in adults, but it is also presented in all age groups with no gender predilection [4]. EKC outbreaks tend to appear in closed places (e.g., hospitals, schools, camps, factories, nursing homes, work places) [8]. EKC transmission is due to direct contact with eye secretions but air droplets and swimming pools play a role in disease transmission [3,9]. Epidemics can be started in outpatient eye clinics by direct contact with contaminated diagnostic tools such as applanation tonometer to the client eyes during ophthalmological examination. The diagnosis of EKC is based mainly on history and clinical picture but cell culture in combination with immunofluorescence staining (CC-IFA) is a good tool for diagnosis [10]. As well as Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) is very specific in detection of adenovirus antigen [11,12]. These methods are the most accurate way to confirm diagnosis however, many physicians lack diagnostic lab orders due to the cost and time delay. Rapid diagnosis of EKC has evolved with Rapid Pathogen Screening (RPS) Adeno Detector with instant results and it is useful in exact diagnosis of EKC patients in office [10]. EKC is a self-limiting disease spontaneously resolve within 1-3 weeks without significant complications, but in 20-50% of cases corneal infiltrates can persist for some weeks or even months and sometimes up to two years that lead to drop of visual acuity and significant glare as well as conjunctival scarring and symblepharon may happen in case of membranous conjunctivitis [13,14]. 

It is significant to put in consideration people health education as adenovirus serotype 19 may remain viable for 5 weeks and resist against standard disinfectants such as isopropyl alcohol (70%) [15]. The best way for prevention of EKC spread is protection as well as improvement of hygienic habits including repeated hand washing and infected patients should not share personal belongings such as towels and cosmetics [16,17].

Because EKC is much common in the Middle East and in Saudi Arabia and by reviewing the literature to the best of our knowledge, there is no currently approved antiviral treatment for EKC. We conducted this study to compare the results between the modified and the ordinary method for treatment for EKC.

Three hundred fifty patients suffering from EKC were enrolled in the study. Their diagnosis was made by clinical picture and laboratory investigations including Rapid Pathogen Screening (RPS) Adeno detector for confirmation. Group 1 had two hundred patients 120 males, 80 females (age from 18to 60 year olds) were treated by the modified method and group 2 had one hundred fifty patients 100 males, 50 females (age from 18 to 58 years) were treated with the ordinary method. The study was done at a period from November 2014 to April 2020 in Security Forces Hospitals Program (SFHP), Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Patients were followed up for 3 months up to 2 years. The main outcomes were improvement in patient’s clinical picture and recovery. All patients signed consent for inclusion in the study and the study was approved by the Institutional Review Board of SFHP (IRB-SFHP-RIYADH) with accreditation number (H-01-R-096) and it was in agreement with Declaration of Helsinki Tents. 

Inclusion criteria 

Including adult patients with 18 to 60 years old, patients with BCDVA of ≥ 20/80 in the study eye, if the patient has bilateral EKC only one eye (the more symptomatized eye) included in the study and the other eye underwent the same treatment but not included and patients attending all the required follow up visits were included in the study. 

Exclusion criteria 

Children and patients < 18 years old, patients with ocular infection rather than EKC, patients with corneal ulceration or bacterial keratitis, immunocompromised patients, glaucoma and patients not attending the required follow up visits. 

All cases were diagnosed by clinical symptoms and signs as shown in tables 1, 2 and conjunctival smear for some suspected patients who revealed lymphocytes predominance. Slit lamp examination and visual acuity measurement were done and grading of ocular symptoms and signs were estimated according to severity into normal, mild, moderate or severe as normal= no abnormality, mild= subtle abnormality, moderate= obvious abnormality and severe = marked abnormality according to clinical examinations and patients questionnaire as well as documented by photography. The patients were randomly divided by coin toss in a ratio of 4:3 randomization patterns into 2 groups and the clinician was masked to the treatment group. Group 1 in which patients were treated by the modified method (Povidone Iodine 5% eye wash) and group 2 in which patients were treated by the ordinary method (normal saline eye wash). 

 Table 1: Baseline ocular symptoms.

Normal= no abnormality, mild= subtle abnormality, moderate= obvious abnormality and severe = marked abnormality 

 Table 2: Base line Ocular sings. 

The modified method 

The eye was topically anesthetized, then eye wash with Povidone Iodine 5% (Povidone-iodine, Alcon) eye irrigation every day until the patients recovered. Manual removal of pseudo membranes with non-toothed forceps and cotton tipped applicator on slit lamp. Antibiotic eye drops (moxifloxacin 0.5%) QID. Lubricant eye drops (tears natural free minims eye drops) QID. Cold compresses. Topical corticosteroid eye drops (fluorometholone 0.1%) QID in cases of subepithelial infiltrates or pseudomemrane formation. 

The ordinary method 

The same way of management except the eye wash was with normal saline only and not using Povidone Iodine 5%. Steroids were used for symptomatic relief but it does not lower the disease pathway. It suppress the corneal inflammation, improve overall comfort but they also prolong clearance of the virus and the lesions may reoccur if steroid is prematurely discontinued [18]. 

Statistical analysis 

Statistical analysis was performed with Microsoft office excels. Data were expressed as mean±Standard Deviation (SD). Unpaired t test was used for comparison between symptoms and signs parameters. Graph Pad Prism 5 program was used for figure construction. P value < 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Table 3 shows the patient's demographic data in which group 1 included 200 patients 120 males and 80 females with mean age of 50±9.2, range (18-60 years old) and 110 patients right eyes and 90 left eyes while group 2 included 150 patients 100 males and 50 females with mean age of 49±10.2, range (18-58 years old) and 80 patients right eyes and 70 left eyes. 

Table 3: Patients demographic data. 

The mean duration of illness before patients enrollment in the study was 3.2±1.8 days with range (2- 7) days. As shown in table 1, the baseline ocular symptoms in both of groups with no clinically significant differences all over the checked parameters where, lid swelling was present in 60% of patients in group 1 and in 56.7% of patients in group 2. Red eyes were present in 100% of patients for both groups as well as watery discharge. Photophobia was present in 80% of patients for both of groups. Foreign body sensation as well as eye discomfort was present in 100 % of patients in both groups. Table 2 shows the base line ocular signs with also no clinically significant differences for all of the checked parameters in both groups where lid edema was present in 55% of patients in group 1 and in 53.3% of patients in group 2. Follicular conjunctivitis as well as subconjunctival hemorrhage was present in 100% of eyes in both groups. Pseudo membranes were found in 75% of eyes in group1 and in 73.3% in group 2. Preauricular lymphadenopathy was found in 92.5% in group 1 and in 93.3% in group 2 while punctate epithelial Keratitis was present in 100% of eyes in both groups. 

In comparing ocular symptoms one week to 10 days after treatment as shown in table 4, there was clinically significant differences between both groups in which all checked parameters were improved, with better results in group 1. Lid swelling was present in 20% of patients and 80% was normal in group 1, while it was present in 50% of patients and 50% was normal in group 2. Red eyes was present in 35% of patients and 65% was normal in group 1. While, it was present in 80% of patients and 20% was normal in group 2. Watery discharge was present in 15% of patients, and 85% was normal in group 1. While it was present in 40% of patients and 60% was normal in group 2. Photophobia was present in 30% of patients and 70% was normal in group 1. While it was present in 50% of patients and 50% was normal in group 2. Foreign body sensation was present in 25% of patients and 75% was normal in group 1. While it was present in 40% of patients and 60% was normal in group 2. Eye discomfort was present in 5% of patients and 95% was normal in group 1. While it was present in 20% of patients and 80% was normal in group 2. Table 5 shows ocular signs one week to 10 days after treatment with also, clinically significant difference between the groups with better results in group 1. Lid edema was present in 25% of patients and 75% was normal in group 1, while it was present in 40% of patients and 60% was normal in group 2. Follicular conjunctivitis was present in 30% of patients and 70% was normal, while it was present in 36.6% and 63.4% was normal in group 2. Sub-Conjunctival hemorrhage was present in 75% of patients and 25% was normal in group 1, while it was present in 76.7% and 23.3% was normal in group 2. Pseudo membrane was present in 40% of patients and 60% was normal in group 1, while it was present in 60% of patients and 40% was normal in group 2. Preauricular lymphadenopathy was present in 90% of patients and 10% was normal in group 1 and 2 respectively. Punctate epithelial keratitis was present with moderate degree in 60%, mild degree in 35% and with severe degree in 5% of patients in group 1, while it was present with moderate degree in 73.3%, mild degree in 14.7% degree and with severe degree in 12% of patients in group 2. Table 6 shows ocular signs 3 months after treatment, in which White subepithelial infiltrates was present in 3% of patients and 97% was normal in group 1, while it was present in 30% of patients and 70% was normal in group 2 with clinically significant difference. Anterior stromal infiltrate was present in 3.3% of patients and 96.7% was normal in group 2, while it was not present in group 1. Table 7 and figure 1 shows the final recovery outcomes in which spontaneous recovery without corneal opacities was achieved in 90% of patients in group 1, while it was achieved in 60% of patients in group 2 with clinically significant difference (p≤0.001). Recovery with corticosteroid was achieved in 7% of patients in group 1, while it was achieved in 10% of patients in group 2 with no clinical significant difference (p=0.9). Recovery with subepithelial corneal infiltrates was achieved in 3% of patients in group 1, while it was achieved in 30% of patients in group 2 with high clinical significant difference (p≤0.0001). 

Table 4: Ocular symptoms one week to 10 days after treatment.

* P= <0.05, ** P=

Table 5: Ocular sings one week to 10 days after treatment.

* P= <0.05, ** P=  

 Table 6: Ocular signs three months after treatment. *** P= <0.001 

 Table 7: Final recovery outcomes.

Figure 1: Final recovery outcomes.

EKC is highly infectious adenoviral disease producing ocular discomfort and its ordinary treatment didn't affect the disease pathway and its sequally with subepithelial opacities may persist for months or even years leading to blurring of vision [7]. EKC happens sporadically in families, schools, health units and in outbreaks. There isn't proved treatment for EKC [19]. Papetropoulou et al., postulated that, it is necessary to detect the disease on time, treat it adequately and carry out the antiepidemic measures to cut the ways for disease spread [9]. EKC acquired and shared by patients and health care staff provider during disease outbreaks [20]. The management of EKC is only supportive and unsatisfactory and there is no evidence that proves effectiveness of antiviral agents [21]. The incubation period ranges from 2 to 14 days, and shedding of virus occurs from last days of incubation period to 2 weeks after disease onset. Hand washing, use of gloves, and instruments disinfection can decrease adenovirus spread [4]. The management of EKC includes palliative treatment, in the form cool compresses, artificial tears, topical antibiotics, topical non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and topical corticosteroids if EKC presented with corneal subepithelial infiltrates, pseudomemrane or iridocyclitis. Steroids suppress the inflammation of the conjunctiva and cornea and hence produce symptomatic relief, but they don't reduce the disease pathway. However, it enhances the viral replication and prolongs its shedding [18,22]. NSAIDS do not affect adenovirus clearance but have not demonstrated better results than artificial tears[23, 24]. Romanowski et al., [25] found that cyclosporine A 0.5% or 2.0% significantly reduce subepithelial corneal infiltrates in a rabbit model. However, topical cyclosporine A increased adenoviral replication, similar to the results reported with corticosteroid use. Antiviral compounds such as Ribavirin was found to have low efficacy against the three predominant adenovirus serotypes (8, 19 and 37) [26]. Hillenkamp et al., [27] studied the effectiveness of cidofovir 1% eye drops either with or without cyclosporine A 1% and proved that cidofovir lowers the incidence of corneal opacities severity. However, its clinical use was limited because of its local toxicity. Tabbara et al., [28] concluded that local ganciclovir 0.15% eye ointment is effective and safe for management of adenoviral conjunctivitis. N-chlorotaurine had shown proof of antimicrobial activity against EKC as well as tolerated well with minimum side effects [29]. 

Povidone-iodine (PVP-I) had concluded promising results in treatment of EKC. It was proved that Povidone-iodine has a broad spectrum antimicrobial efficacy against bacteria, fungi, viruses and protozoa [30,31]. Pelletier et al., [32] studied a local combination of 0.4% Povidone-iodine and 0.1% Dexamethasone and concluded that all patients had fast relive of symptoms with lowering of the viral titers. Melton et al., [33] reported the treatment of EKC with Povidone-iodine 5% few drops followed by saline eye irrigation can preserve visual function and reduce viral spread. Povidone-iodine is potentially useful, but large-scale trials are lacking that encourage us to use this inexpensive agent (Povidone-iodine 5%) for eye irrigation after topical anesthetic eye drops to overcome its local stinging effect with satisfactory results as patients symptoms and signs significantly improved in group 1 (Povidone-iodine 5%) than in group 2 (ordinary method) as well as the final recovery outcome results were superior in group 1 than group 2. Our results were in agreement with Kovalyuk et al., [34] in which they reported reduction in patient’s symptoms and signs as well as reduction in recovery time and viral titer in their study group managed by a combination of Povidone-iodine1% and dexamethasone 0.1% drops QID. Our results also were in accordance with results of Trinavarat et al., [35] in which they reported recovery of ocular symptoms and discomfort in 77% of their patients within a week of treatment using Povidone-iodine 2% eye drops QID for a week; however we used Povidone-iodine 5% daily eye wash with promising results and minimal side effects.

We concluded that the modified method of treatment we used was a trial to alleviate the patient discomfort and facilitate recovery. It had significantly better results than the ordinary one in improving patients’ symptoms and signs as well as decreasing the subepithelial corneal infiltrates that can burden vision (P< 0.001).

Author would like to acknowledge the overwhelming support from all of my colleges in Ophthalmology department, Faculty of Medicine, Minia University, El-Minia, Egypt and Ophthalmology Department, Security Forces Hospital, Riyadh, SA.

The author declares that he did not have either conflict of interests or financial interests, as well as this data, have not been published before.