[Simultaneous detection by immunofluorescence of several viral infections and Mycoplasma, Chlamydia and Rickettsia burneti infections localized at the level of the conjunctival, nasal and pharyngeal mucosae of patients with recurring chronic keratoconjunctivitis]

A study was conducted of the viral and inframicrobial populations present in the conjunctival, nasal and pharyngeal mucous membranes by immunofluorescence techniques, using a twelve hyperimmune serum kit, in 120 patients with chronic, relapsing keratoconjunctivitis. Qualitative and quantitative differences were noted in the antigen levels in the three investigated mucous membranes. The number of antigens in the conjunctival and nasal epithelial cells was higher than in the pharyngeal ones: 117 and 113 positive IF tests for the first two against 95 for the third. Incidence of each of the individual antigens was two or three times higher in the conjunctival and nasal mucous membranes, excepting, however, the parainfluenza viruses which were equally frequent in all the three mucous membranes.