ABSTRACT
Adenovirus is an important cause of respiratory infections in infants and children. Information on the prevalence, seasonal distribution of adenovirus and the clinical symptoms associated with it is not available in Jordan. Therefore, this study was conducted on 200 hospitalized children less than 2 years of age. Hep-2 cells were inoculated with nasopharyngeal aspirates [n=200] and adenovirus antigens were detected by cell culture technique. The monthly distribution of the adenovirus isolates in relation to the climatic factors was determined. The associated clinical characteristics were also investigated. Adenovirus infections were documented in 11.5% of patients, peaked in the 7-9 months age group and manifested mainly as bronchopneumonia. Fever [>380C rectal] was observed in 74% of adenovirus-infected patients. There was no significant differences between the hospitalized adenovirus-infected and adenovirus-negative patients with respect to hypoxemia, tachypnea, retractions, crackles, hyperinflation, interstitial infiltration and consolidation. Abnormal chest X-ray with interstitial infiltrates was significantly [p<0.05] more associated with adenovirus negative patients. Adenovirus infection is characterized by autumn-early winter seasonal pattern. The adenovirus infections began in September peaked in December and disappeared in spring and summer. This distribution was not significantly correlated with temperature, rainfall and relative humidity. The epidemiology of adenovirus could help in considering it in diagnosis of children between September and December each year, and planning of prevention and control programs in Jordan