An outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) caused by coxsackievirus A24 variant in Pakistan.

Acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) is a self-limiting viral infection of the eyes but having epidemic potential. In winter 2004-2005, an outbreak of acute hemorrhagic conjunctivitis (AHC) occurred in Islamabad, Pakistan. The etiological agent was confirmed as coxsackievirus A24 variant (CA24v) by virus isolation and sequencing of a part of the VP1/VP3 gene. Phylogenetic analysis in VP1 region showed that Pakistan isolates has closest matches both in Asia and Europe while in VP1/VP3 region they were more closely related to Chinese strains, suggesting their common source in Asia which is constantly evolving to cause AHC outbreaks in susceptible hosts in different parts of the world.