Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is an adenoviral disease of the eye, caused by human adenovirus infecting the mucosa of the eye [1]. The literature in the provided sources distinguishes it from pharyngoconjunctival fever as one of two well-defined adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis syndromes [3]. Outbreaks of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis are usually linked to adenovirus types 8, 19, 37, and 54 [1].
Disease Profile
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis
流行性角结膜炎
Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is a viral ocular infection associated with human adenovirus and is described as the severest form of adenoviral ocular disease [1][2]. It is part of a broader spectrum of adenoviral conjunctivitis that also includes pharyngoconjunctival fever, with outbreak-associated serotypes reported as important in its epidemiology [1][3]. Source-backed detail on this surveillance concept is otherwise limited, so the profile should be read as a conservative summary of the available evidence [4][5].
The syndrome is described as the most severe form of adenoviral ocular infection [2]. Reported ocular features include watery discharge, hyperemia, chemosis, and ipsilateral lymphadenopathy [2]. Corneal involvement may occur and can lead to subepithelial infiltrates, and one review notes that corneal infection may also lead to keratitis nummularis [1][3]. The broader clinical spectrum of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis also includes isolated follicular conjunctivitis without corneal or systemic involvement [2].
Adenoviral conjunctivitis is reported as the most common infectious conjunctivitis worldwide, affecting people of all ages and demographics [1][2]. The exact incidence is unknown in the provided sources [3]. Cases are described as more frequent during warmer months [3]. Epidemiologic reports in the supplied material emphasize outbreak-associated serotypes for epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, particularly types 8, 19, 37, and 54 [1].
Transmission is mainly through hand-to-eye contact, ocular secretions, respiratory droplets, and contact with ophthalmic care providers and their medical instruments [2]. Another review states that contagion is possible through direct contact or fomites [3]. The virus is also described as highly contagious and extremely resistant to different physical and chemical agents [3][2].
The provided sources do not identify specific high-risk demographic or clinical groups for epidemic keratoconjunctivitis beyond noting that adenoviral conjunctivitis affects people of all ages and demographics [1]. Source-backed detail on occupational, institutional, or immunologic risk groups is not yet available [1][3].
Prevention is identified as the most reliable way to control this contagious infection [3]. The sources also imply exposure-control measures relevant to transmission, including limiting direct contact, reducing fomite spread, and preventing transfer via ophthalmic instruments and care environments [3][2]. Source-backed detail on specific prophylactic schedules or formal public-health protocols is not yet available [3].
In monitoring settings, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis should be interpreted as a clinically important adenoviral eye infection that can present as outbreaks and may be the most severe ocular manifestation in the adenoviral spectrum [1][2]. Because the exact incidence is unknown in the provided sources, surveillance may be better oriented to outbreak recognition, seasonal increase, and serotype-linked clustering rather than to absolute burden estimates [3]. Source-backed detail on standardized reporting thresholds is not yet available [4][5].
- 1 Chigbu DI et al. Pathogenesis and management of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Infect Drug Resist. 2018. PMID: 30046247. doi: 10.2147/IDR.S162669. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30046247/
- 2 Jhanji V et al. Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis. Surv Ophthalmol. 2015 Sep-Oct. PMID: 26077630. doi: 10.1016/j.survophthal.2015.04.001. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/26077630/
- 3 González-López JJ et al. Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis: an update. Arch Soc Esp Oftalmol. 2013 Mar. PMID: 23473088. doi: 10.1016/j.oftal.2012.07.007. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23473088/
- 4 EPIDEMIC KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS. Annals of Internal Medicine. 1943. doi: 10.7326/0003-4819-18-5-866. DOI: https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-18-5-866
- 5 EPIDEMIC KERATOCONJUNCTIVITIS. Journal of the American Medical Association. 1954. doi: 10.1001/jama.1954.02950160033014. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1001/jama.1954.02950160033014
- 6 Keratoconjunctivitis epidemica. Der Ophthalmologe. 2005. doi: 10.1007/s00347-005-1214-6. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00347-005-1214-6
Figure 1 | Full historical trajectories across all reporting countries.
Figure 2 | Year-over-year monthly comparison for seasonality and structural shifts.
Dataset Archive
Supplementary Data | Multi-country disease dataset
Machine-readable multi-country disease dataset (JSON/CSV) with source metadata.
Source Register
Official sources and update cadences used to construct the downloadable dataset.
JP
JP NIID Weeklyweeklyweb
Japan
Japan weekly infectious disease surveillance via NIID/JIHS.
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