SUMMARYA large nosocomial outbreak of keratoconjunctivitis due to adenovirus type 8 is described. Two hundred cases were identified, 123 by isolation of the virus and 77 by detecting HI antibodies in convalescent sera. Infection usually presented as a severe keratoconjunctivitis, and 107 (54 %) of infected patients developed sub-epithelial corneal opacities. The majority (66 %) of infections were acquired at the accident and emergency department attached to a large urban eye hospital when patients attended for other reasons; trauma to the eye, especially corneal foreign bodies, was the most frequent cause for the initial attendance. Transmission of virus within the family occurred in 13 % of cases, but there was little spread outside family or hospital environments. The outbreak lasted from May to September, 1982, but it was not confirmed by isolation of the virus until the end ofJune when control measures were instituted. Delay in applying control measures was probably the major factor accounting for this large, prolonged outbreak of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis.

To differentiate between B virus and HSV isolates from monkeys and man monoclonal antibodies (mabs) were produced to herpesvirus simiae (B virus) and herpes simplex type 1 and 2 (HSV-1 and HSV-2). Mabs were tested by indirect immunofluorescence (IFAT) for reactivity against herpesviruses from Asiatic monkeys (B virus), African monkeys (SA 8 virus), and man (HSV-1, HSV-2, varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, and Epstein-Barr virus). Mabs could be divided into groups A-E displaying specific reactivity for B virus (A); reactivity with both B virus and SA 8 but not HSV (B); reactivity with B virus, SA 8 virus and HSV strains (C); specific reactivity with HSV-1 (D); and specific reactivity with HSV-2 (E). Two of the B virus specific mabs were able to differentiate between cynomolgus and rhesus strains of B virus. None of the mabs reacted with human varicella-zoster virus, cytomegalovirus, or Epstein-Barr virus. A panel of mabs for the unequivocal identification of B virus isolates from monkey or man is proposed.

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Apparent increase in the prevalence of herpes simplex virus type 1 genital infections among women.We have recently completed the evaluation of a new fluorescein labelled herpes simplex typing reagent' using genital specimens obtained from the Department of Virology, the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford. Specimens were transported to this laboratory in virus transport medium, inoculated on to Vero cell monolayers then observed daily for cytopathic effect. Positive isolates were typed using the HSV typing reagent. Cultures that appeared negative were maintained for a total of 10 days, tested and discarded if negative. Results (table) support Scoular's2 observation, that HSV-1 genital infections, among women, now appear to be more prevalent that genital infections caused by HSV-2. If true this could have important prognostic implications since HSV-1 and HSV-2 genital infections differ in their severity, frequency of recurrence3 and risk of transmission.4In contrast to Scoular's and our own observations, several serological studies (for example, Lowhagen5, Johnson6), have shown HSV-2 to be the prevalent serotype among women and suggested that women have an increased biological susceptibility to HSV-2 genital infection.6 This suggestion was reinforced by (unpublished) studies of married couples in Atlanta and Seville, that found the prevalence of antibody to HSV-2 to be higher among wives than among their husbands.6 These studies also highlighted that in many cases HSV-2 genital infections are clinically inapparent or that symptoms may be so mild that they are not associated with genital infection.Given that up to 50% of HSV-2 genital infections among females may be "asymptomatic"7, studies such as our own (using specimens obtained from individuals with clinical symptoms attending a genitourinary clinic) may not represent the true epidemiological situation regarding HSV genital infections. However, the results presented here do suggest that HSV-1 was present in the majority of genital isolates obtained from females. This may be, as Scoular suggests, related to changing socio-economic conditions. Whether it represents an actual increase in the number of HSV-1 genital infections among females is unclear and will require further investigation.

One hundred children with suspected herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection and 20 controls were studied to compare a rapid immunofluorescence (RIF) test for detection and typing of HSV from smears of lesions with standard viral culture. The RIF test was evaluated for ease of use and speed of diagnosis. RIF and/or culture were positive in 64% of patients. All infections diagnosed by RIF and culture were HSV type 1. In 92% of patients RIF and culture results were in concordance. In 57 cases, RIF and cultures were positive for HSV infection and in 35 cases RIF and cultures were negative for HSV infection. Three patients had inadequate samples for RIF and five children had positive RIF but were culture negative. All controls had negative results both by RIF test and culture. The RIF test demonstrated 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity. The RIF test was type specific, easy to perform and gave diagnosis of HSV infections within an hour of taking the clinical specimen. This study suggests the RIF test is as good, if not more sensitive, in the diagnosis of HSV infections as standard viral culture and has the advantage of speed of diagnosis.