Adenovirus DNA in Guthrie cards from children who develop acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL).

BACKGROUND

In search of a proposed viral aetiology of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL), the common species C adenoviruses were analysed in Guthrie cards.

METHODS

Guthrie cards from 243 children who later developed ALL and from 486 matched controls were collected and analysed by nested polymerase chain reaction for the presence of adenovirus DNA.

RESULTS

Adenovirus DNA was reliably detected from only two subjects, both of whom developed ALL.

CONCLUSION

Adenovirus DNA is detected in Guthrie card samples at too low a frequency to reveal an association between adenovirus and the development of leukaemia.