The Epidemiology of Acute Respiratory Illness 1. Observations on Adenovirus Infections Prevailing in a Group of Families

Abstract

A study was made of adenoviruses as the cause of minor respiratory illnesses in 88 families resident in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas during the 1955-1956 respiratory-disease season. Two type-2 and two type-3 adenoviruses were recovered from 187 nose and throat specimens from 153 individuals. Neutralizing antibody studies on pre-and postseasonal sera indicated that seroconversion rates against types 2 and 3 adenoviruses for children up to 15 years of age approximated 20% and for adults against adenovirus type 3 approximated 12%. Conversion against adenovirus type 5 was also observed, but the emergence of type 5 antibodies during type 2 and 3 infections and the failure to recover type 5 virus, casts doubt on the specificity of the response. Seroconversion against types 1, 4, 6, and 7 were infrequent. The rate of acquisition of antibodies to adenoviruses within the family unit varied, being quite high and apparently occurring quite rapidly with adenoviruses types 2, 3, and 5, and quite slow to inapparent with types 1, 4, 6, and 7. The risk of infection during the first 6 months of life was negligible. Infants after 6 months of age acquired antibodies, and by 2 years of age 20 to 75% possessed antibodies against adenoviruses types 2, 3, and 5.