Molecular prediction for the common causative agents of infectious conjunctivitis among AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf governorate patients in spring and summer

Abstract EN

Aim of the study: is to predict the most common causative agents of infectious conjunctivitis among AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf governorate during spring and summer seasons.

Methods : Multiplex PCR was used to amplify viral and bacterial genes related to pathogens suspected of causing infectious conjunctivitis, the samples were collected from patients using cotton eye swabs.

Results: A total of 36 (10.29%) patients were chosen from 350 patients who attended private ophthalmic clinic in AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf governorate during spring and summer seasons.

Two Cotton swabs were taken from each patient and kept frozen until the day of DNA extraction.

Multiplex PCR was used to amplify genes specific for Adenovirus, Herpes Simplex Virus-1 and Herpes Simplex Virus-2, Cytomegalovirus, Varicella Zoster Virus and Chlamydia trachomitis plasmid.

The multiplex PCR results found that only ten (27.77%) samples were positive for mixed infection of Adenovirus (140bp), HSV-1and HSV DNA polymerase (208, 211 bp) and only one (2.77%) sample was positive for HSV-1mixed with HSV DNA polymerase .

Conclusion: Laboratory identification of infectious agents causing conjunctivitis is crucial for confirming the clinical diagnosis, although some signs may be diagnostic for certain types of eye disorders because infectious and allergic conjunctivitis signs and symptoms may overlap.