Restriction endonuclease analysis of adenovirus isolates from sporadic and epidemic ocular infections: experience in a clinical laboratory.

Adenovirus isolates from 52 patients with ocular infection over a 3-year period were typed by restriction endonuclease analysis in a clinical laboratory. The results indicated that adenovirus type 8 was the most common cause of adenovirus eye infection during this period, being responsible for 42 (81%) of the 52 cases. Of 42 adenovirus type 8 isolates, 22 showed variant patterns by restriction endonuclease analysis and required multiple enzyme digests for identification. These isolates were readily identified by neutralisation tests.