Padronization of detection of human adenovirus in eye swab samples of patients with symptoms of viral conjunctivitis using molecular methods

• Grant number: 13/04157-1
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: September 01, 2013
• End date: August 31, 2014
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Biochemistry - Molecular Biology
• Principal Investigator: Sandra Helena Alves Bonon
• Grantee: Caroline Baldi
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Ciências Médicas (FCM). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Acute viral conjunctivitis is one of the most common health disorders and although not often cause serious complications, has a strong impact economically because of its contagiousness and morbidity. Human Adenovirus (AdvH) belongs to Adenoviridae family and members are major pathogens associated with ocular infections in the world. Therefore, a pattern for detecting AdvH in ocular swab specimens is desirable, and this may assist in therapeutic, minimizing the impact of these infections. Thus, we will analyze 50 patients with signs and symptoms of viral conjunctivitis by sent or by spontaneous demand to the sector of Ophthalmology, Hospital das Clínicas / Unicamp, and three swab samples will be collect of each patient: one collection at the first consultation (day 0), other collect on day +5 and the last on day +10. The main goal of this work is to standardize the detection of AdvH in ocular swab specimens using PCR and N-PCR and to determine the prevalence of infections caused by AdvH in ocular swab specimens from patients with signs and symptoms of conjunctivitis. The results will be used by physicians in a clinical trial design to study the efficacy of dexamethasone 0.1% / 0.4% povidone-iodine in the treatment of patients with acute viral conjunctivitis and its effect on viral replication.