What is Microbiology - Adenovirus Infection

​Adenoviruses Infection

Adenovirus infection generally may lead to common cold, pneumonia and pharyngitis.There are few types of adenoviruses.  Specifically, adenoviruses types 8,19 and 37 will lead to keratoconjunctivitis mostly in adult. Adenoviruses type 4 and 7 may lead to acute respiratory disease while hemorrhagic cystitis is associated with infection from adenovirus type 11. 

Adenovirus types 40 and 41 may cause acute gastroenteritis in children and pharyngoconjunctival fever is caused by adenovirus types 3 and types 7.

Pharyngoconjunctival fever is characterized by pharyngitis, conjunctivitis, fever and cervical adenopathy.


The common mode of transmission is through fecal oral route, inhalation of respiratory droplets and direct inoculation of the eyes by fingers. 

Polymerase chain reaction, serological analysis and antigen detection is the common mode of investigation for adenovirus infection. 

Adenovirus will cause the cytotoxic damage from the infection of the epithelial cells of the intestinal tract and respiratory tract.