Clinical significance
Adenoviruses are DNA viruses belonging to the Adenoviridae family, genus Mastadenovirus. The more than 40 known serotypes of adenovirus are grouped into 6 categories (A to F) according to the type of disease they cause. Respiratory and gastrointestinal infections are the most common. Adenovirus infection, although acute, is normally self-limiting; in severely immunocompromised people and newborns, however, it can be fatal. Contact with the virus causes the production of specific class G antibodies (IgG), whose rise is, however, only suggestive of adenovirus infection.
Clinical indications
Adenovirus infections
Sample type
The patient must have a blood sample taken
Preparation
You must fast for at least 8 hours; a small amount of water is allowed. You must have been standing or sitting upright for at least 30 minutes.
Notes
IgG absent, IgM absent: no exposure. If the clinical picture is uncertain, patients should be monitored over time.
IgG present, IgM absent: past infection.
IgG absent, IgM present: early-stage infection.
IgG present, IgM present: acute infection
Please note that adenovirus infections are acute and run a rapid course, while antibody production takes about 8-10 days from the onset of symptoms.