Conjunctivitis

Introduction. 

Conjunctivitis is often called pink eye and can be caused by many pathogens, including many viruses and bacteria. Viruses commonly responsible are adeonvirus, HSV, and Measles virus.

Summary

Cause: Adenovirus

• Transmission: direct contact
• Symptoms: inflammation of conjunctiva in both eyes
• Pathogenesis: cytopathic effect and resulting inflammatory response (Tc cells and cytokines)
• Complications: keratitis
• Treatment:supportive
• Immunity: to one serotype only
• Vaccine: no

Cause: Herpes simplex virus

• Transmission: direct contact 
• Symptoms: inflammation of conjunctiva in one eye
• Pathogenesis: cytopathic effect and resulting inflammatory response (Tc cells and cytokines)
• Complications: herpetic keratitis leading to blindness in severe cases
• Treatment: iododeoxyuridine lessens severity but does not prevent recurrence