Adenovirus infection with serious pulmonary sequelae in Korean children

Introduction: Varying clinical progress and long-term pulmonary sequelae have been associated with different adenoviral serotypes.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine the association between serotype and clinical profiles of pediatric adenoviral pneumonia cases that occurred in Korea from 1996-1998.

Methods: Nasopharyngeal aspirate samples from 44 adenovirus-positive patients presenting with acute severe respiratory disease were sent to reference laboratories for serotyping. Clinical course and chest X-rays were analyzed during the acute phase, and HRCTs were performed during the convalescent phase to identify long-term pulmonary complications.

Results: Ad-7 was associated with the most severe clinical course and resultant long-term pulmonary sequelae, followed by milder clinical course and lower frequency of sequelae in Ad-3 cases, and even milder outcomes in children infected with Ad-5.

Conclusions: In complicated adenoviral pneumonia, certain serotypes prevail with Ad-7 being the most severe. Continued serotyping with the eventual goal of creating a database for the early diagnosis, treatment and prognostication of adenoviral pneumonia is needed.