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.