Anti-adenoviral effects of human cationic antimicrobial protein-18/LL-37, an antimicrobial peptide, by quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

Purpose: Antimicrobial peptides have an important role in self-protection of the ocular surface. Human cationic antimicrobial protein (hCAP)-18 is a linear, α-helical peptide that consists of a conserved pro-sequence called a cathelin-like domain and a C-terminal peptide named LL-37. We investigated the in vitro anti-adenoviral activity of hCAP-18/LL-37 in several adenovirus types, inducing keratoconjunctivitis.

Coxsackievirus A24 variant uses sialic acid-containing O-linked glycoconjugates as cellular receptors on human ocular cells.

Coxsackievirus A24 variant (CVA24v) is a main causative agent of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC), which is a highly contagious eye infection. Previously it has been suggested that CVA24v uses sialic acid-containing glycoconjugates as attachment receptors on corneal cells, but the nature of these receptors is poorly described. Here, we set out to characterize and identify the cellular components serving as receptors for CVA24v.

Antiadenoviral effects of N-chlorotaurine in vitro confirmed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction methods.

Purpose: Adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis is recognized as one of the major pathogens of ophthalmological nosocomial infection worldwide. N-Chlorotaurine (Cl-HN-CH(2)-CH(2)-SO(3)H, NCT) is the N-chloro derivative of the amino acid taurine, which is an oxidant produced by human granulocytes and monocytes during inflammatory reactions. Using conventional viral plaque assay, it was previously shown that NCT causes inactivation of several human adenovirus (HAdV) serotypes.

Anti-adenoviral effect of interferon-β and interferon-γ in serotypes that cause acute keratoconjunctivitis.

Background: Interferons are currently used for hepatitis B and C virus infection; the effect of interferons against adenovirus has not been elucidated. It has been reported that interferon-β and interferon-γ were effective against adenovirus serotype 3. We investigated the anti-adenoviral effect of interferon-β and interferon-γ in serotypes that cause acute keratoconjunctivitis, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction in vitro.

Clinical evaluation of local ocular toxicity in candidate anti-adenoviral agents in vivo.

Background: Adenovirus causes ophthalmological nosocomial infections. Although cidofovir may be used systemically for immunocompromised patients in disseminated adenoviral infections, no specific anti-adenoviral agent has been established for the treatment of adenoviral ocular infection. It has been reported that cidofovir may cause lacrimal duct obstruction when used locally.

[Long-term time series analysis of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan].

Purpose: Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is a highly infectious disease caused by an adenovirus and is associated with nosocomial or endemic infections. In a series analysis before 1993, we predicted that EKC patients would decrease in Okinawa. We analyzed the number of EKC patients after 1993 in the same area to confirm the compatibility between measured and predicted epidemic curves.