• Journal of Life Science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.620-626
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• 2004

Viruses causing acute conjuntivitis were isolated from 675 patients carrying eye infections for year 2001 to 2003 in Busan reagion and their antigenic properties characterized by a serological survey. In 2001, adenoviruses (serotype 8) were found in 5 of 48 cases. In 2002, the isolated viruses were 7 adenoviruses (serotype 8 and 37), 8 coxsakieviruses (serotype A24 and B3) and 1 echoviruses (serotype 6) from 324 specimens that are known as the causative agents of acute hemorrhagic conjuctivitis (AHC). In 2003, 25 case of 303 specimens were 7 adenoviruses (serotype 3, 4, 8 and 37), 7 echoviruses (serotype 6 and 7) and 4 untypable enteroviruses. Although coxsakievirus (serotype B3) and echoviruses (serotype 6 and 7) were generally known as causative agent of aseptic meningitis, it hasn't been reported until now that they were isolated from the conjunctival swabs. The out break of AC was observed from April to October in Busan. These isolated viruses showed a strong cytophatic effects on HEp-2, RD, Vero and BGM cell strains. Analysis of electron micrograph of those viruses showed that adenovirus consists of a 80 nm diameter and nonenvloped icosahedron and then echovirus and coxsackievirus were small nonenveloped and isometric-shaped viruses. Adenovirus showing a cytophatic effect was resulted in a 458 bp single band by PCR and echovirus, coxsackievirus and untypable enterovirus were detected a 437 bp products by RT-PCR.