[Adenovirus infection and rapid adenovirus antigen detection kits]

(1) Early diagnosis of adenovirus infection helps physicians to relieve anxiety of guardians as it enables them to provide appropriate information on natural course and prognosis of the infection. In addition, it reduces unnecessary antibiotic use, which is associated with the emergence of drug-resistant bacteria. (2) Diagnostic accuracy in adenovirus infection could be improved by selection of patient prior to antigen detection test based on detailed history, local epidemic situation and actively performed blood test. (3) Positive rate of adenovirus antigen detection depends on the day of illness when it is performed and sampling technique. Vigorous rubbing of pharynx and tonsil to an extent that nausea or vomiting is induced is a clue to the collection of appropriate samples. (4) Recently released rapid adenovirus antigen detection kits are considered to be more useful than their old versions because of better sensitivity and shorter examination time. However, their usefulness in early diagnosis is limited, as they sometimes produce false-negative results at very early stage or in patients lacking symptoms other than fever.