Detection of adenovirus infection in children in Jordan

Between November 1997 and May 1998, 350 nasopharyngeal aspirates (NPA) were obtained from children admitted to the Respiratory Disease Unit at Princes s Rahma Hospital, northern Jordan who were clinically diagnosed as sufferin g from respiratory tract infections. NPA were investigated for the presence of adenovirus using shell vial (SV) culture assay, conventional culture (C C) assay, and direct immunofluorescence assay (DFA). Of the 350 NPA, adenov iruses were detected in 54 (15.4%) by the combined techniques used. SV iden tified 34 (63%), CC 48 (89%) and DFA 30 (56%). Most virus isolations were i n children aged 1-5 years old and were associated with pneumonia in 39% and bronchopneumonia in 32%. SV assay showed a sensitivity and specificity of 68.8% and 99.7%, respectively, for detecting adenovirus from NPA. These res ults emphasize that CC assay is still important for the diagnosis of adenov irus, although SV and DFA are superior diagnostic assays.