Adenovirus infections in immuncompromised patients

Abstract

Human adenoviruses function as genetic models and vectors for gene therapy. Upper respiratory, gastrointestinal or ocular infections usually have mild course without any major complication in immuncompetent individuals. However, reactivation from latency in immuncompromised patients may lead to death. Depending on the underlying diseases, different adenovirus serotypes damage different organs. In children with severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome, serotypes of species A and C induce lung, liver or bladder inflammation. Paediatric hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is frequently followed by serotype 31-induced pneumonia, enteritis, cystitis. B serotypes can destroy transplanted organs. In AIDS patients, D and novel F serotypes cause enteritis. Recombinants of B serotypes induce urinary tract infections. Progression of lymphomas, tumours, and systemic lupus erythematosus might be facilitated by immunsuppressive effects of adenoviruses. As far as the diagnostic work-up of adenoviruses, detection of viral DNA and virus copy number is predictive, while serology testing is quite unrealiable. For treatment, cidofovir derivates, ribavirin, ganciclovir, vidarabine and microRNA have been used. Orv. Hetil., 2012, 153, 1896–1904.