Conjunctivitis due to adenovirus type 19.

An outbreak of unusual conjunctivitis occurred in Seattle in the summer of 1974. We found evidence of adenovirus type 19 (Ad19) infection in 28 of 42 (67%) referred cases from whom specimens for virus isolation and/or serology were obtained. Virus was isolated from conjunctiva, throats, and/or stools, often in week 2 of illness. Ad19-related cases more frequently had severe ocular pathology, transient visual impairment, and active disease for longer than a week. Secondary illnesses were more frequent in relation to Ad19 infection (26%) than to conjunctivitis of other etiology (5%, P less than 0.05). Persons with Ad19 infection commonly experienced sore throats without coughs or fevers. No common source of infection was identified in the outbreak, and illness was unrelated to occupation, residence, or family characteristics. A 3- to 8-day incubation period was suggested by two related cases.