Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is caused by which virus?

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is caused by which virus?

• A. Varicella-zoster virus
• B. Herpes simplex virus
• C. Enterovirus
• D. Adenovirus

Answer: (D)

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is the classic highly contagious ocular infection caused by adenovirus. It often presents with marked conjunctival injection, mucopurulent discharge, and preauricular lymphadenopathy, and when the cornea is involved, subepithelial infiltrates can appear. Adenovirus serotypes such as 8, 19, and 37 are the ones most commonly linked to EKC and to outbreaks in communities and healthcare settings. While varicella-zoster virus can affect the eye (zoster ophthalmicus) and herpes simplex virus can cause keratoconjunctivitis with dendritic ulcers, neither is the typical cause of EKC. Enteroviruses can cause conjunctivitis as well, but the classic epidemic keratoconjunctivitis etiology is adenovirus. Therefore, the causative agent is adenovirus.

Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis is the classic highly contagious ocular infection caused by adenovirus. It often presents with marked conjunctival injection, mucopurulent discharge, and preauricular lymphadenopathy, and when the cornea is involved, subepithelial infiltrates can appear. Adenovirus serotypes such as 8, 19, and 37 are the ones most commonly linked to EKC and to outbreaks in communities and healthcare settings. While varicella-zoster virus can affect the eye (zoster ophthalmicus) and herpes simplex virus can cause keratoconjunctivitis with dendritic ulcers, neither is the typical cause of EKC. Enteroviruses can cause conjunctivitis as well, but the classic epidemic keratoconjunctivitis etiology is adenovirus. Therefore, the causative agent is adenovirus.