Article:
Identification of the Causative Pathogen in the 2023 Conjunctivitis Outbreak of Nepal Using Unbiased Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing

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creativeworkseries.issn1999-6217
dc.contributor.authorShrestha, Eliya
dc.contributor.authorKatuwal, Nishan
dc.contributor.authorSitaula, Ranju Kharel
dc.contributor.authorGurung, Harimaya
dc.contributor.authorShrestha, Aastha
dc.contributor.authorKarki, Pratap
dc.contributor.authorShrestha, Rajeev
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-02T06:54:16Z
dc.date.available2026-09-02T06:54:16Z
dc.date.issued2025
dc.descriptionEliya Shrestha Himalaya Eye Hospital, Pokhara https://orcid.org/0009-0002-5159-1472 Nishan Katuwal Molecular and Genome Sequencing Research Lab, Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel Ranju Kharel Sitaula B.P. Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu Harimaya Gurung Himalaya Eye Hospital, Pokhara, Aastha Shrestha Research and Development Division, Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel Pratap Karki B.P. Koirala Lions Center for Ophthalmic Studies, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu Rajeev Shrestha Molecular and Genome Sequencing Research Lab, Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital, Dhulikhel
dc.description.abstractAbstract: Background: In mid-2023, Nepal experienced a significant outbreak of conjunctivitis, affecting over 60% of outpatients in eye hospitals and prompting school closures. The outbreak, peaking in August, predominantly impacted children and individuals with compromised immunity. Clinical manifestations included sudden-onset redness, foreign body sensation, watery discharge, and occasional lid swelling. Most cases exhibited acute haemorrhagic conjunctivitis, with management involving ocular lubricants, personal hygiene, and topical antibiotics. This case series from Himalaya Eye Hospital in Pokhara details the genomic epidemiology and clinical characteristics of conjunctivitis cases during the outbreak. Methods: To understand the causative agents, conjunctival swabs from patients were subjected to unbiased metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) in Illumina iSeq100 at Dhulikhel Hospital Kathmandu University Hospital Results: This case series revealed the presence of Enterovirus C (coxsackievirus strain A24) as the major pathogen responsible for the outbreak. Conclusions: This case series contributes valuable insights into the genomic diversity of conjunctivitis-associated viruses, highlighting the potential of mNGS in enhancing diagnostic capabilities and guiding public health responses.
dc.identifierhttps://doi.org/10.33314/jnhrc.v23i03.4749
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14572/7560
dc.language.isoen_US
dc.publisherNepal Health Research Council
dc.subjectConjunctivitis
dc.subjectEnterovirus
dc.subjectOutbreak
dc.titleIdentification of the Causative Pathogen in the 2023 Conjunctivitis Outbreak of Nepal Using Unbiased Metagenomic Next Generation Sequencing
dc.typeArticle
dspace.entity.typePublication
local.article.typeOriginal Article
oaire.citation.endPage532
oaire.citation.startPage527
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relation.isJournalOfPublication40bd2739-8b19-447c-be60-723a1bdd1dcd

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