Isolation of Enterovirus 70 from Patients with Acute Hemorrhagic Conjunctivitis in Key West, Florida

Abstract

To the Editor: In early September 1981, cases of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis began to occur in residents of Key West, Florida.^{1 , 2} The cases were characterized by sudden onset, bilateral involvement, excessive tearing, subconjunctival hemorrhage, and usually recovery after a three to five-day course. An epidemiologic and virologic investigation of the outbreak was begun on September 16.Eye-swab specimens were collected in cold transport medium (tryptose-phosphate broth with 0.5 per cent gelatin), processed, and inoculated into cell cultures within five hours after collection. Fluid expressed from the swabs was centrifuged at 2000 rpm at 4°C for 20 minutes, and the supernatant . . .