Adenovirus Respiratory Infections in Hospitalized Children: Clinical Findings in Relation to Species and Serotypes

BACKGROUND:There are >50 adenovirus (ADV) serotypes that are divided into 7 species (A–G). The aim of this study was to characterize ADV serotypes and species in hospitalized infants and children in the City of Zagreb and Zagreb County and to describe clinical features and laboratory findings of ADV infections according to the causative ADV serotype. METHODS:During the 3-year period from January 2006 to November 2008, 135 children (15.0 × 10/L) was noted in 103 (77%) patients. Serum C-reactive protein was >40 mg/L in 74 patients (56%). The erythrocyte sedimentation rate was ≥30 mm/h in 91 (71%) of the 127 patients tested. CONCLUSIONS:In this study, the most common isolated serotype was ADV type 2. Most affected children were younger than 3 years. ADV infections in young children can present with prolonged fever, leukocytosis and significantly elevated C-reactive protein and erythrocyte sedimentation rate, mimicking bacterial infections.