Adenovirus urethritis and concurrent conjunctivitis: a case series and review of the literature

We present eight cases and review the literature of concurrent urethritis and conjunctivitis where adenovirus was identified as the causative pathogen. The focus of this review concerns the identification of specific sexual practices, symptoms, signs and any serotypes that seem more commonly associated with such adenovirus infections. We discuss the seasonality of adenovirus infection and provide practical advice for clinicians to give to the patient.

The relation of pleuropneumonia-like organisms to the conjunctival changes occurring in mice of the Princeton strain

A selected colony free from ocular infection with pleuropneumonia-like organisms of the conjunctival type was developed from young Princeton mice delivered by cesarean section and reared by uninfected Swiss foster mothers. Young mice from this colony continued to show sporadic ocular manifestations similar to those observed in infected mice. This reaction was non-inflammatory in nature. The organisms previously recovered from the altered conjunctivae of Princeton mice were established on the conjunctivae of selected mice of the special colony both by direct contact and by the local implantation of ocular washings and concentrated cultures. The factors associated with the conjunctival reaction in infected Princeton mice are discussed.

SEROLOGICAL STUDIES ON GROUP- AND SPECIES-SPECIFIC ANTIGENS OF TRACHOMA AND INCLUSION CONJUNCTIVITIS (TRIC) AGENTS

Group-reactive ether soluble psittacosis and boiled mouse pneumonitis antigens were tested in parallel, with 85 serum specimens. The results indicate that the group-specific C.F. antigens of these organisms are indistinguishable when tested against sera of trachoma patients, monkeys infected with trachoma or against sera of other individuals.

Sera of rabbits immunized with viable trachoma-inclusion conjunctivitis (TRIC) organisms, grown in tissue culture, were absorbed with boiled elementary body suspension of mouse pneumonitis agent, which removed the group reactive antibodies, and resulted in a species-specific anti-TRIC serum.

The absorbed and unabsorbed TRIC sera were titrated against purified E.B. suspensions, which were prepared both from yolk and from tissue culture grown organisms, of homologous TRIC strains and from other heterologous Bedsonia organisms.

Results of absorption experiments indicate that group reactive antigens prepared from mouse pneumonitis and psittacosis are indistinguishable by C.F. test from the group-specific component of the TRIC antigens. The species-specific antigen of the TRIC agents was well distinguished from the species-specific antigen of the psittacosis agent. However, the C.F. test did not distinguish the strains isolated from trachoma from those isolated from cases of inclusion conjunctivitis.

The stabilizing effect of sucrose and albumin upon the species-specific C.F. antigen of purified elementary bodies of TRIC organisms was found to be pronounced.

Our attempts to produce a species-specific antigen preparation, free from group component, failed.

We have pleasure in thanking Dr F. B. Gordon for suggestions; Dr B. V. Birtašević, Mr H. R. Dressler, Dr E. S. Murray and Dr A. J. Vargosko for procuring sera of patients or organisms grown in tissue culture; Dr T. A. Strike for the help with statistical computations; HMC P. R. Hill, HM3 C.O. Wiese and Mr B. L. Ward for invaluable technical assistance.