585 ENTERIC ADENOVIRUS 40 & 41(EAds) IN GASTROENTERITIS S8S OF INFANTS & YOUNG CHILDREN

From 9/81 thru 9/83, adenoviruses (ad) were detected by electron microscopy and/or tissue culture in the stools (st) of 3.8% (46 of 1121)children with acute diarrhea. 35 viruses (76%) were EAds; 33 of these were the sole enteric pathogen. The EAds were confirmed by neutralization in 293 cells (25); by restriction endonuclease analysis (13) [two (15%) type 40, 11 (85%) type 41]; and/or by hybridization probes (22). The latter two tests were done directly on st. (26% of the EAd infections were nosdcomial.) Mean age for 35 EAd patients (pts) was 8.3 mos (range 1-34). 77% were younger than 1 year; 43% were 6 mos or younger. 83% of EAd infections were seen from Sept thru March with a peak in December when 9.8% of 61 enteritis pts had EAd in their st. 54% with EAd had vomiting, 63% of these for >4 days. All had diarrhea (>4 days in 74%) and fever (>4 days in 38%). 26% had mild dehydration. Upper respiratory (URI) symptoms were noted in 20%, râles and wheezing in 9%. St had PMNs in 18% of 22. 11 pts with non-EAd fecal ad in st were young (mean 6.8 mos range 2-11 mos). Non-EAd cases exhibited no seasonality and had vomiting for ≥4 days in 28%. 36% of 11 non-EAd pts vs 74% of 35 EAd pts had diarrhea for >4 days (p=.034). Non-EAd pts had more URI (40%) than non-nosocomial EAd pts, 8% (p=.033). In young infants and children, EAds are associated with enteritis, resulting in hospitalization and nosocomial enteritis.