Adenovirus

Adenovirus type 40 and type 41 account for up to 20% of viral gastroenteritis in young children globally primarily affecting pediatric patients less than 2 years old. Clinical characteristics include watery diarrhea accompanied by vomiting and low-grade fever. A distinct feature of adenovirus infection is the protracted diarrhea and longer duration of symptoms. Diagnosis of adenovirus gastroenteritis is important towards decreasing the unnecessary use of antibiotics, especially in outpatient clinics with high patient volumes. Specific diagnosis of infection with adenovirus through the detection of virus antigen in stool by immunoassay methods is widely used in clinical settings.