Rapid diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis by a fully automated molecular assay.

To establish and evaluate a new test system for rapid detection and diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis.After establishment of the molecular assay, 52 conjunctival smears were studied.Samples were derived from patients with a clinical presentation compatible with keratoconjunctivitis.A molecular assay for detection of human adenovirus (HAdV) based on automated nucleic acid extraction and real time polymerase chain reaction was established and evaluated. The new assay included a heterologous internal control.Statement about the presence or absence of adenoviral DNA in the specimen.The amplification efficiency was found to be 100%. The detection limit was calculated to be 116 copies per LightCycler capillary. When clinical specimens were tested, 15 of 52 conjunctival smears were found to be positive for HAdV DNA. The internal control was detected in all samples.The new molecular assay proved to be suitable for rapid diagnosis of adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis in the routine diagnostic laboratory.