The viral cause of the recent epidemic conjunctivitis in the Philippines

ABSTRACT

In resume, the viral cause of the epidemic conjunctivitis appears to us to be settled. By following the Kochs postulates, we have successfully identified and isolated the virus as the Adenovirus, type 3. By rubbing this virus contained in the filtrate of the crushed follicles clipped off from the lower eyelid-conjunctivae of man, on the lower eyelid-conjunctivae of the rabbits, we have duplicated this conjunctivitis in this animal. The previous findings of Staphylococci, pneumococci, and diptheroids are secondary bacterial invaders, and not the primary cause of the diseaseThe free viral particles from the discharge of the disease-eyes can only remain infectious or alive for five minutes after excretion. On the other hand, the viral particles in the droplet infections from the nose and mouth of the patients have a period of survival of around 30 minutes. Also, we have found that a lethal dose (LD50) of the virus filtrate inoculated intracerebrally to one hour old newly hatched chicks outside the incubator thereafter, can kill this bird in 48 hours. This type of virus is highly contagious and transmitted by contact with the discharge within five minutes after excretion, and thru the inhalation of droplet infections from the nose and throat of the patientsAs regards, the treatment, the taking of steroids and vitamin-mineral tablets with bigger doses of vitamin C, and washing the affected eyes with running tape water is still the best so far. (Summary)