Respiratory adenovirus infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised adult patients.

S Cederwall,L I Påhlman

doi:10.1017/s0950268819002176

Abstract

Adenovirus (AdV) can cause severe respiratory infections in children and immunocompromised patients, but less is known about severe AdV pneumonia in immunocompetent adults. In this retrospective study, we compared respiratory tract infections and pneumonia caused by AdV in immunocompromised and immunocompetent adult patients regarding clinical presentation and severity of infection. The results show that AdV can cause severe infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, and the clinical presentation and need for hospitalisation, mechanical ventilation and antiviral treatment were equal in both groups. No underlying risk factors for severe AdV infection in healthy individuals were identified.

Highlights

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death due to infection worldwide, and 24.5% of community-acquired pneumonia are caused by viruses according to a meta-analysis [1]
All patients were further classified as having respiratory tract infection (RTI) or pneumonia at the time for positive AdV testing
RTI was defined as symptoms of airway infection in the absence of radiological findings of pneumonia

Summary

Introduction

Pneumonia is one of the leading causes of death due to infection worldwide, and 24.5% of community-acquired pneumonia are caused by viruses according to a meta-analysis [1]. Severe AdV infection with high mortality rates has been described in children and immunocompromised patients [2]. The knowledge of AdV infections in healthy adult patients is limited and mainly derived from case reports and small studies. The aim of the present study was to compare respiratory AdV infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients regarding clinical presentation, severity of infection and underlying risk factors.

Objectives

Results

Conclusion