Adenovirus and ileocecal intussusception.

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Pediatric Surgery
• Gastroenterology

Background:

• Intussusception is a significant cause of bowel obstruction in children.
• The etiology of intussusception is often idiopathic, but viral infections are suspected.
• Intranuclear inclusion bodies can be markers of viral cytopathic effects.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the presence and nature of intranuclear inclusion bodies in pediatric ileocecal intussusception.
• To determine the potential role of adenovirus in the pathogenesis of intussusception.

Main Methods:

• Light microscopy of epithelial cells from surgically resected intussusception specimens.
• Electron microscopy of hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides to characterize inclusion bodies.
• Viral isolation attempts (adenovirus serotypes 2, 3, 5) from specimens with inclusions.

Main Results:

• Intranuclear inclusion bodies were identified in over one-third of pediatric intussusception specimens.
• Electron microscopy revealed these inclusions comprised viral particles in crystalline arrays.
• Adenovirus was successfully isolated from five cases exhibiting inclusion bodies.

Conclusions:

• The findings strongly suggest adenovirus plays a pathogenetic role in pediatric ileocecal intussusception.
• The presence of intranuclear inclusion bodies in ileocecal epithelial cells is a potential indicator of adenovirus involvement.
• Further research into viral etiologies of intussusception is warranted.