Molecular epidemiology of coxsackie A type 24 variant in Taiwan, 2000-2007.

Background: Epidemics of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) caused by a coxsackievirus A24 variant (CA24v) appeared in Taiwan in 2000-2002 and again in 2006-2007.

Objective: To analyze the molecular epidemiology of CA24v in recent outbreaks in Taiwan.

Study Design: A 510bp fragment of 3C(pro) region was analyzed in 30 CA24v isolates during 2000-2007.

The change of etiological agents and clinical signs of epidemic viral conjunctivitis over an 18-year period in southern Taiwan.

Background: Epidemic viral conjunctivitis is a highly contagious eye disease that occurs worldwide and is caused mainly by adenoviruses and enteroviruses. An 18-year analysis of the changes of pathogens and clinical signs in a subtropical and densely populated island presents certain special features.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical information and laboratory records of the conjunctivitis patients with positive conjunctival swabs from 1980 to 1997.