NEONATAL ADENOVIRUS INFECTION - A CASE-REPORT WITH IN-SITU HYBRIDIZATION CONFIRMATION OF ASCENDING INTRAUTERINE INFECTION

Adenovirus infection is a rare, but serious infection, during the neon atal period. The actual mode of infection at birth is currently unknow n, however several mechanisms have been proposed. We describe a case o f fatal neonatal adenovirus pneumonia in a 25-wk gestational age infan t. Adenovirus was confirmed by electron microscopy and by in situ hybr idization. The maternal cervical/endocervical smear taken prior to the delivery contained epithelial cells with changes suggestive of adenov irus, which was confirmed by in situ hybridization on the smear. These findings suggest that ascending viral infection is a factor in the pa thogenesis of neonatal adenovirus infection. The identification and re porting of adenovirus may be important during pregnancy in order to av oid delay in delivery of the fetus once membranes have ruptured. Diagn Cytopathol 1995;12:341-344. (C) 1995 Wiley-Liss, Inc.