Detection of adenovirus infection in children in Jordan

SummaryBetween November 1997 and May 1998, 350 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were obtained from children admitted to the Respiratory Disease Unit at Princess Rahma Hospital, northern Jordan who were clinically diagnosed as suffering from respiratory tract infections. NPA were investigated for the presence of adenovirus using shell vial (SV) culture assay, conventional culture (CC) assay, and direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA). Of the 350 NPA, adenoviruses were detected in 54 (15.4%) by the combined techniques used. SV identified 34 (63%), CC 48 (89%) and DFA 30 (56%). Most virus isolations were in children aged 1–<5 years old and were associated with pneumonia in 39% and bronchopneumonia in 32%. SV assay showed a sensitivity and specificity of 68.8% and 99.7%, respectively, for detecting adenovirus from NPA. These results emphasize that CC assay is still important for the diagnosis of adenovirus, although SV and DFA are superior diagnostic assays.