BACKGROUND: Epidemic @entity24231 is a highly contagious @entity2194 that occurs worldwide and is caused mainly by adenoviruses and enteroviruses. An 18-year analysis of the changes of pathogens and clinical signs in a subtropical and densely populated island presents certain special features. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical information and laboratory records of the @entity2024 @entity1 with positive conjunctival swabs from 1980 to 1997. RESULTS: The positive rate of laboratory diagnosis of @entity2024 was 50.0% (1,233/2,467). From 1980 to 1994, the predominant causative agent of @entity9849 was adenovirus type 8 (Ad8), with six genotypes being evolved. Three of the new Ad8 genotypes each caused a new epidemic. After 1995 the predominant adenoviral pathogens shifted to Ad37 and @entity43664 , and no more Ad8 was isolated. Enterovirus type 70 (EV70) was isolated from four outbreaks of @entity5518 ( @entity5518 ) from 1980 to 1984, but rarely in later years. @entity14590 type 24 variant (CA24v), which first appeared in 1985, appeared later as the causes of four major epidemics of @entity5518 from 1985 to 1994. The overall clinical symptoms of @entity24231 were more severe in the 1990s than in the 1980s. CONCLUSION: In southern Taiwan, outbreaks of @entity9849 caused by new genomic variants could be associated with the long-term endemic co-circulation of Ad8, @entity43664 , and Ad37, while epidemics of CA24v @entity5518 were caused mainly by introduction of new viral strains from neighboring countries. The aggravation of host symptoms in the 1990s needs further investigation and close follow-up.

The change of etiological agents and clinical signs of XXXX over an 18-year period in southern Taiwan.

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity2194 :: ('MESH:D005128', 'Disease') :: ['eye disease'] @entity14590 :: ('138948', 'Species') :: ['Coxsackievirus A'] @entity43664 :: ('23646', 'Gene') :: ['Ad19'] @entity9849 :: ('MESH:D007637', 'Disease') :: ['adenoviral keratoconjunctivitis'] @entity5518 :: ('MESH:D003232', 'Disease') :: ['AHC', 'acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis'] @entity24231 :: ('MESH:D003236', 'Disease') :: ['viral conjunctivitis'] @entity2024 :: ('MESH:D003231', 'Disease') :: ['conjunctivitis', 'epidemic conjunctivitis']
@entity24231 :: (MESH:D003236,Disease) :: ['epidemic viral conjunctivitis']
