Adenoviral Conjuctivitis
The term blepharitis refers to the inflammation of the eye
The adenovirus is the most common cause of what is commonly
termed “pink eye” but is more scientifically termed “epidemic
keratoconjunctivitis.” As the name of the disease implies, the
infection is highly contagious and tends to occur in epidemics.
The onset of symptoms is very sudden and includes the typical
pink coloration of the eye and eye discharge. An individual is
considered contagious 2-3 days prior to onset of symptoms and
10-12 days following the onset of symptoms.
Details of Adenovirus:
•Non enveloped virus
•Double stranded linear DNA
•Several different serotypes have been identified as causes of
conjunctivitis, most common are adenoviruses 8, 19, and 37.
Modes of Transmission: fomites, contaminated water, and direct
contact with eye secretions.
Symptoms: blurred vision, crustiness around eye, eye pain,
redness, itchiness, tearing, and sensitivity to light.
http://www.graphicshunt.com/health/images/pink_ey
e-2191.htm
Acanthamoeba Keratitis
The acanthamoeba species are commonly cause inflammation
of the cornea (keratitis) but can also lead to severe skin and
CNS infections. Most commonly, acanthamoeba infects healthy
individuals who do not care for their contact lenses properly.
Acanthamoeba lives in soil and fresh water sources such as tap
water. Individuals who wash their contacts with tap water
rather than contact solution are most likely to contract this
parasite because it can live between the contact lens and the
eye.
Details of Acanthamoeba spp:
•Protozoa, parasite
•Two stages in life cycle are “cysts” and “trophozoites, ” the
latter being the infectious stage
Modes of Transmission: soil and fresh water sources such as
tap water. The parasite is not usually spread from one person
to another
Symptoms: eye pain, redness, blurry vision, sensitivity to light,
tearing, feeling like there is something in the eye, extreme
cases can result in scarring and blindness
Staphylococcal Blepharitis
Pathogens of the Eye lid and the most common cause of this especially in people
without a history of ocular problems is the bacteria
Staphylococcus aureus. Once contracted, blepharitis is
Allison Baker often a chronic problem that is not ever fully treated but
rather merely managed and which can lead to other eye
maladies such as a sty, a bacterial infection at the root of
the eyelash.
Details of Staphylococcus aureus:
•Gram positive cocci observed in pairs or clusters under the
microscope
•Non-motile
•Non-spore forming
•Rather ubiquitous on humans
Modes of Transmission: direct contact
Symptoms: soreness of eyelid and eye, greasiness, flaking
of eye lid skin, ulcers on eyelid, feeling of something in the
eye, discharge from lids causing lashes to stick together,
sensitivity to light, and swelling of eyelid
http://medical-
dictionary.thefreedictionary.com/bleph
aritis
http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/imagepages/8867.htm Trachoma
http://www.carter
The bacteria Chlamydia trachomatis causes Trachoma, an
center.org/health/
trachoma/tracho eye disease prevalent in poor and remote areas especially
ma_grades.html
among children and leads to blindness if left untreated.
Trachoma is more common in women since, as caretakers,
http://www.ttuhsc.edu/so they are exposed more to small children who often act as a
m/ophthalmology/eyeatl reservoir for the organism.
as/Cornea/acanthamoeba
_keratitis.aspx
Details of Chlamydia trachomatis:
•Obligate intracellular pathogen
•Gram negative
References:
•Also known for causing the commonly known sexually
"CDC - Acanthamoeba Infection - Disease." Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. U.S.A. Government, 2 Nov. 2010. Web. 29 transmitted disease, chlamydia
May 2011. <http://www.cdc.gov/parasites/acanthamoeba/disease.html>.
Scott, Ingrid U. "Viral Conjuctivitis." Medscape Reference. Ed. Hamptom Roy Sr. Web MD, 26 May 2011. Web. 29 May 2011.
Modes of Transmission: direct contact with eye discharge
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/1191370-overview#a0101>.
of infected individual and “eye-seeking” flies, fomites
"Staphylococcal Blepharitis Treatment." Steady Health. LifeForm Inc Network, 31 May 2007. Web. 29 May 2011.
<http://www.steadyhealth.com/articles/Staphylococcal_Blepharitis_Treatment_a186.html>.
Symptoms: eye discharge, swelling of the eye lid, turned in
Tolan Jr, Robert W. "Staphylococcus Aureus Infection." Medscape Reference. Web MD, 11 May 2011. Web. 29 May 2011.
<http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/971358-overview#a0199>. eyelashes, cloudy cornea.
"WHO | Trachoma." Priority Eye Diseases. World Health Organization, 2011. Web. 29 May 2011.
<http://www.who.int/blindness/causes/priority/en/index2.html>.