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Published on: December 10, 2013
Serologic study on the outbreak of acute upper respiratory tract infections caused by adenovirus 3
Lufang Jiang1, Liwen Ju, Renjie Jiang
1Department of Health Microorganism, School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
Abstract:
From April to June, 2004, an outbreak of acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURTI) occurred in the north area of Jiangsu Province, China. Twenty throat swabs were collected with 13 of them presenting an adenovirus (Ad)-like cytopathogenic effect on HEp-2. These were verified as Ad by the electron microscope, direct immunofluorescence assay and Ad primer-mediated PCR. Moreover, they were identified as adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) by type-specific PCR and sequencing of the amplification products. Subsequent serologic studies were carried out to finally diagnose and document the outbreak. The neutralization test of paired serum of six in nine cases show obviously increased antibodies titers. The positive rate of IgM, IgG and recovery phase neutralization antibodies of the cases were 3.7%, 44.4% and 59.5% respectively while those of the controls were 0%, 8.3% and 33.3% respectively. The P values of Chi-Square were 0.510, 0.018 and 0.226 respectively. The concordance between IgG detected by ELISA and neutralization anti bodies detected by the neutralization test was 61.4% and the P value of Kappa was 0.070. By the serologic study, we can definitively diagnose that this outbreak of acute respiratory infections was caused by Adenovirus 3.
Insights
An outbreak of acute upper respiratory tract infections in China was caused by adenovirus type 3 (Ad3). This study identified Ad3 through laboratory testing and serological analysis, confirming it as the causative agent.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- An outbreak of acute upper respiratory tract infections (AURTI) occurred in Jiangsu Province, China, from April to June 2004.
- Adenovirus (Ad) infections are a common cause of respiratory illness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the causative agent of the AURTI outbreak in Jiangsu Province.
- To confirm the specific type of adenovirus responsible for the outbreak.
Main Methods:
- Throat swabs were collected and analyzed for cytopathogenic effects on HEp-2 cells.
- Adenovirus was identified using electron microscopy, direct immunofluorescence assay, and PCR.
- Adenovirus type 3 (Ad3) was confirmed by type-specific PCR and sequencing.
- Serological studies, including neutralization tests and ELISA, were performed on patient and control sera.
Main Results:
- Adenovirus was detected in 13 out of 20 throat swabs.
- The virus was identified as adenovirus type 3 (Ad3).
- Serological tests showed significantly increased antibody titers in cases compared to controls, confirming Ad3 infection.
Conclusions:
- The outbreak of acute respiratory infections in Jiangsu Province was definitively caused by Adenovirus 3.
- Laboratory and serological investigations are crucial for diagnosing and characterizing viral outbreaks.
