Alterations in biochemical markers in adenovirus infection

• Published in: Translational pediatrics Vol. 10; no. 5; pp. 1248 - 1258
• Main Authors: Gómez de Oña, Constanza, Alvarez-Argüelles, Marta E, Rojo-Alba, Susana, Casares, Helena, Arroyo, Mireia, Rodríguez, Julián, de Oña, María, Melón, Santiago
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: China AME Publishing Company 01.05.2021
• Subjects: Original; procalcitonin; C-reactive protein; Adenovirus; respiratory infections
• ISSN: 2224-4344; 2224-4336; 2224-4344
• DOI: 10.21037/tp-20-333

Analyze possible relationships between HAdV and markers for inflammation, specifically the C-reactive protein (CRP) and procalcitonin (PCT) tests, along with other haematological markers. Retrospective study of 487 children presenting with fever and/or acute respiratory symptoms in the Paediatric Emergency Department. Analyses included viral presence/absence (both HAdV and other respiratory viruses) in respiratory exudates, CRP and PCT alterations in plasma, and haematological markers in whole blood. Viral load was >500 copies/10 cells of HAdV in 127 cases (26.1%), of which 66 (52%, P<0.0001) had alterations in PCT, and 112 (88.1%, P<0.0001) in CRP. Haematological markers were similar either HAdV was present or not, although many HAdV positive patients demonstrated leukocytosis (66%). Bacterial cultures from 141 samples showed altered PCT in 27 (60%) with HAdV infection, in 3 (18.7%) with bacterial infection, and 13 (26.5%) without either viral or bacterial infection (P<0.05). CRP was altered in 88.9% of HAdV infected children and in 87% infected with bacteria, although the percentage was greater than in cases where other respiratory viruses were present (61.3% P<0.05). Results demonstrate a clear relationship between HAdV infection and alterations in PCT and CRP which should be taken into account in paediatric patient management.