Hospital Practices and Research

A Multicentric Molecular Study on the Conjunctivitis Outbreak in Delhi: Keeping an Eye on “Pink Eye”

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

Gopal Krushna Das 1
Bineeta Kashyap 2
Ashish Bahal 3
Pooja Yadav 4
Babli Singh 1
Neha Singh 1
Sharanya . 5

1 Department of Ophthalmology, University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) & Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, Delhi, India

2 Department of Microbiology, University College of Medical Sciences (UCMS) & Guru Teg Bahadur (GTB) Hospital, Delhi, India

3 Department of Microbiology, Army Hospital R & R, Delhi Cantt – 110010, India

4 Viral Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, Army Hospital R & R, Delhi Cantt – 110010, India

5 Lady Harding Medical College (LHMC), Delhi, India

https://doi.org/10.30491/hpr.2024.429955.1410
Abstract
Background: Hospitals in the national capital were staring at the rising cases of pink eye, more than 100 of which had been daily hitting the outpatient departments of major hospitals in Delhi during the month of July 2023. Outbreaks of Conjunctivitis are common globally, with people across all age and socio-economic status getting affected.
Objectives: The aim of the study was to do a molecular analysis on the etiology in cases of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.
Methods: A multicentric prospective observational study was carried out during the outbreak of conjunctivitis in Delhi. The clinical samples were processed by polymerase chain reaction for common etiology of acute keratoconjunctivitis.
Results: Adenoviral etiology was witnessed in 8.3% of cases, while no other bacterial or viral etiology could be documented.
Conclusion: Studying the etiological pattern of any outbreak of infections can provide insights into the prevalent transmissible pathogens and help in future preparedness.

Keywords

Conjunctivitis
Outbreak
Delhi
Adenovirus
Multicentric
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Hospital Practices and Research
Volume 8, Issue 4 - Serial Number 32
Autumn 2023
Pages 362-368

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