PEDBASE.org - The Pediatric Database - Detailed information of ADENOVIRUS ENTERITIS

ADENOVIRUS ENTERITIS

DEFINITION:

A viral infectious disease of the small bowel caused by a dsDNA virus resulting in a secretory diarrhea.

EPIDEMIOLOGY:

incidence: 4-12% (2nd most common viral cause of enteritis)
risk factors:
- age: infants & young adults, most < 2 yrs.
- season: all year
- route: direct: fecal-oral
- indirect: respiratory droplets
- environ: epidemic & endemic
- Bone marrow recipients represent a high risk group
incubation period: 8-10 days

PATHOGENESIS:

1. Background

Enteric adenovirus serotypes AE-40 and 41 (subgenera F) are associated with childhood gastroenteritis. Adenoviruses in subgenera G have also been associated with sporadic diarrhea in infants and children.
virus excretion in stools occurs for 7-14 days

CLINICAL FEATURES:

1. Prodrome

respiratory symptoms are found in about 50% of patients

2. Diarrhea

large, watery with no cells, 4-5/day
mean duration of diarrhea: 10.8 days
associated with mild fever, vomiting, and abdominal pain

3. Complications

predisposes to intussusception
secondary lactose intolerance (10%) -> chronic diarrhea

INVESTIGATIONS:

1. Stool

adenovirus detected by EM, latex agglutination, or monoclonal antibody based immune electron microscopy (EM)

MANAGEMENT:

1. Supportive

oral rehydration fluid (ORF) or intravenous rehydration

Pediatric Database - ADENOVIRUS ENTERITIS

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