Adenovirus and respiratory tract infection in young children

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted on 115 infants and preschool children [65 males and 50 females] complained from different respiratory symptoms. Their ages ranged from 2 months to 5 years old. They were subjected to history taking, clinical and chest examinations. Moreover samples from transnasal endotracheal tube were collected. From all investigated children, 28 cases [24.3%] proved to be infected with different bacterial causes by direct culture on different media. Streptococcus pneumonia, Staph. aureus and Strept. pygoges were the predominant pathogens. Adenovirus [Ad] was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay [ELISA] in 25.3% and by immune-electron microscope [IEM] in 23% of the cases. Different clinical data were recorded in this study, high temperature [38.5-39.5°C], expectoration and cough were the most significant positive data. Ad-infections occurred among all age groups with higher prevalence in older age [13- 24 months and >24 months]. Infection was predominant among females more than males with a significant statistical difference. Ad-infection was recorded all over seasons of the year but no statistical significant difference was recorded. Regarding the relationship between Ad and different forms of respiratory infections, acute bronchitis and pneumonia were the significant diagnosis. On recoding the validity test of ELISA in comparison to IEM, it shows 81.8% sensitivity and 96.9% specificity, while there were 93.1% agreement between the two tests and only 6.9% disagreement. On conclusion ELISA and IEM are rapid and useful methods for detection of Ad-infections