First reported outbreak of diarrhea due to adenovirus infection in a hematology unit for adults

J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Jun;43(6):2575-80. doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.6.2575-2580.2005.

Abstract

Numerous outbreaks of adenovirus infection from different types of health care settings, except a hematology unit, have been reported. This is the first report describing an outbreak of adenovirus infection causing diarrhea among adult hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Six of 21 patients from the outbreak cohort were affected with diarrhea. Electron microscopy, cell culture, and direct DNA sequencing of amplicons generated from stool and blood samples were used to investigate this outbreak. Electron microscopy and cell culture detected adenovirus in stools from symptomatic patients. DNA sequencing of amplicons generated from stool samples confirmed nosocomial transmission of infection from a single index case. The outbreak strain was also detected in plasma of four of these patients, suggesting systemic infection. The outbreak strain was identified as type 12. Standard infection control measures were effective to control this outbreak.

MeSH terms

  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / epidemiology*
  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / transmission
  • Adenovirus Infections, Human / virology
  • Adenoviruses, Human / classification
  • Adenoviruses, Human / genetics
  • Adenoviruses, Human / isolation & purification*
  • Adult
  • Animals
  • Base Sequence
  • Capsid Proteins / chemistry
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics
  • Cell Line
  • Cross Infection / epidemiology*
  • Cross Infection / transmission
  • Cross Infection / virology
  • Diarrhea / epidemiology*
  • Diarrhea / virology
  • Disease Outbreaks*
  • Female
  • Hematology*
  • Hospital Units*
  • Hospitals, University
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction / methods
  • Sequence Analysis, DNA

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus