Importance of enteric adenoviruses 40 and 41 in acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children.
In a prospective 1-year study of acute infantile gastroenteritis, adenoviruses were detected in the stools or by seroconversions, or both, in 56 of 416 (13.5%) ill children. By use of DNA restriction enzyme analysis, enzyme immunoassay, and culture techniques, 33 of 56 (59%) adenovirus specimens were identified as enteric adenoviruses 40 and 41 (Ad40 and Ad41). They were found as the sole recognizable cause of diarrhea in 30 of 416 (7.2%) ill children and in 0 of 200 controls. Three additional ill children had enteric adenoviruses as a part of a dual infection. Evidence for established adenoviruses (Ad1 through Ad39) in gastroenteritis was found in 15 of 416 (3.6%) ill children but also in 3 of 200 (1.5%) controls. Eight adenovirus specimens remained untyped. Seroconversions were demonstrated in 17 of 18 (94%) paired serum samples from patients shedding enteric adenoviruses. The predominant symptom of infections with enteric adenoviruses was diarrhea, with a mean duration of 8.6 days (Ad40) and 12.2 days (Ad41). One-third of the children with Ad41 infections had prolonged symptoms (greater than or equal to 14 days). The frequency of respiratory symptoms was low (21%). The established adenoviruses presented a different clinical picture, characterized by diarrhea of shorter duration, higher fever, and significantly increased occurrence of respiratory symptoms (79%). In conclusion, enteric adenoviruses appear to be an important cause of acute infantile gastroenteritis, second only to rotaviruses in this study.
D000208:Acute Disease; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000209:etiology*; D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000382:microbiology; D005260:Female; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000209:etiology*; D006385:Hemagglutination Inhibition Tests; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008854:Microscopy, Electron; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000276:immunology; D012621:Seasons; D012737:Sex Factors
D000914:Antibodies, Viral; D000956:Antigens, Viral; D004279:DNA, Viral