ADENOVIRUS: EPIDEMIOLOGY, SPREAD OF NOVEL SEROTYPES AND IN ROLE WITH RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS

Adenoviruses (AdVs) are the DNA viruses that can cause mild infections involving both upper or lower respiratory tract,gastrointestinal tract, or conjunctiva. Adenovirus plays a very notable role in respiratory tract disease in both pediatric and adult patients. It has been linked with outbreaks and epidemics in various patient populations, resulting in considerable morbidity and mortality. Fatality rates for severe untreated AdV pneumonia may exceed 50%. More than 50 serotypes of the AdV have been recognised. Different serotypes display different tissue tropisms that can correlate with the clinical manifestations of infection. In this paper, we discuss the epidemiology, pathogenesis,clinical presentation, respiratory tract illnesses and complications, and roles of diagnosis and potential treatment options. Treatment of AdV infections is controversial, as prospective, randomized therapeutic trials have not been conducted. Cidofovir is the drug of choice for severe AdV infections, but not all patients require treatment.The role of the past oral adenovirus vaccine and the military implications of its withdrawal from routine use in military recruits is discussed as well.