A Study on the Epidemiology, Prevalence, Molecular Detection, and Typing of Viral Pathogens in Conjunctival Specimens

TL;DR

This study analyzed 450 conjunctival swabs to identify viral causes of conjunctivitis, finding adenovirus as the most common cause.

Contribution

The study provides detailed molecular typing of adenovirus serotypes and epidemiological insights into viral conjunctivitis.

Findings

Viral pathogens were detected in 69.3% of conjunctival specimens.

Adenovirus was the most prevalent, with Ad8 being the dominant serotype.

Epidemiological trends and risk factors were identified to aid public health strategies.

Abstract

Conjunctivitis, a common ocular condition, can be caused by various viral pathogens, leading to significant morbidity and occasional outbreaks. This study aimed to investigate the epidemiology, prevalence, molecular detection, and typing of viral pathogens in conjunctival specimens. A total of 450 conjunctival swabs were collected from patients presenting with conjunctivitis symptoms at Shri Vinoba Bhave Civil Hospital (SVBCH) between January 2024 and December 2024. Molecular techniques such as reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and sequencing methods were employed to detect and characterize viral agents, including adenovirus, herpes simplex virus (HSV), enterovirus, and others.

The overall prevalence of viral pathogens was found to be 69.3%, with adenovirus being the most prevalent, detected in 238 samples (52.9%), and identified as the dominant etiological agent. Molecular typing revealed the circulation of common serotypes, including Ad8 (n = 82, 39.0%), Ad19 (n = 54, 25.7%), Ad37 (n = 36, 17.1%), Ad5 (n = 22, 10.5%), and Ad11 (n = 16, 7.6%), providing insights into strain diversity and potential transmission patterns. Epidemiological analysis identified key risk factors, seasonal trends, and demographic associations. These findings enhance our understanding of the etiology of viral conjunctivitis, supporting improved diagnostic strategies, outbreak control, and public health interventions.

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