Evaluation of a rapid quantitative diagnostic test for adenovirus type 4.
Acute respiratory disease (ARD) due to adenoviruses is a reemerging disease in military recruits. It is a challenge for clinicians to accurately diagnose this disease and to appropriately treat affected individuals. This study investigated the utility of a quantitative, rapid-cycle, real-time fluorogenic polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for detecting adenovirus type 4 (Ad4) in a clinical setting. Throat swab specimens and clinical data were collected from US Army basic trainees hospitalized with ARD at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. A total of 140 throat swab specimens were collected from 83 subjects. Rapid PCR results (obtained in <2 h) had a sensitivity of 100% and a specificity of 100%, compared with viral culture. There was no difference, qualitative or quantitative, between frozen and fresh samples for PCR detection of Ad4. Individuals with test results positive for Ad4 were hospitalized longer than were individuals with negative test results. Higher virus loads at hospital admission corresponded to longer lengths of stay for Ad4-positive subjects.
Faix
Dennis J
DJ
Department of Preventive Medicine, Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, Silver Spring, MD 20910, USA.
Houng
Huo-Shu H
HS
Gaydos
Joel C
JC
Liu
Shih-Kang S
SK
Connors
John T
JT
Brown
Xiomara
X
Asher
Ludmila V
LV
Vaughn
David W
DW
Binn
Leonard N
LN
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008889:Military Personnel; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012703:Serotyping
D017931:DNA Primers; D004279:DNA, Viral