Infectious Disease Adenovirus Quantitative PCR

Human adenoviruses are a common cause of self-limited respiratory, gastrointestinal, or ocular infections in immunocompetent children and adults. In immunocompromised patients, however, adenovirus can cause severe, life-threatening infections including cystitis/nephritis, pneumonitis, hepatitis, and gastroenteritis, and sepsis. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays used to detect adenovirus DNA in peripheral blood have demonstrated a strong correlation between viremia and the risk of disseminated adenovirus disease (1-4).

Clinical Utility:
The rapid detection and quantitation of adenovirus DNA by a sensitive PCR technique will aid in the diagnosis and treatment monitoring of adenovirus infections, particularly in immunocompromised patients.

This assay utilizes fluorescent real-time PCR to quantitatively detect the presence and amount of adenovirus DNA.  An internal control PCR ensures adequate DNA extraction and PCR efficiency. All known serotypes of adenovirus (>50) from each of the 6 adenoviral species (A to F) are detected by this assay. Viral load quantitation is accomplished with well-characterized external calibration standards with reporting units of adenoviral DNA copies per mL.

Sensitivity:
The low-level analytical detection limit is 970 adenovirus DNA copies per mL. The reportable range of this viral load assay extends from 970 - 10,000,000 copies of adenovirus DNA per mL.

• Blood: one 5 mL purple (EDTA) or yellow (ADC) tube; deliver to lab (ambient; unspun) within 4 hours (for separation into plasma).
• Plasma: spin within 4 hours of phlebotomy.  Store and transport on cold pack to lab within 48 hours.

Pediatric Minimums:

• Plasma: 200µL

A REQUISITION FORM MUST ACCOMPANY ALL SAMPLES.  Please include detailed clinical information.

Mon, Wed, Fri

1 – 3 days

Package and ship whole blood or swab specimens to remain cold, but not frozen.  Package frozen specimens in dry ice.  Contact Client Services at (855) 535-1522 for shipping supplies and instructions.  Ship via overnight express, using the FedEx priority overnight label provided.

1. Echavarria M. Adenoviruses in immunocompromised hosts. Clinical Microbiology Reviews. Oct 2008;21(4):704-715.

2. Lindemans CA, Leen AM, Boelens JJ. How I treat adenovirus in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Blood. Dec 16 2010;116(25):5476-5485.

3. Gustafson I, Lindblom A, Yun Z, et al. Quantification of adenovirus DNA in unrelated donor hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients. Journal of Clinical Virology. Sep 2008;43(1):79-85.

4. Erard V, Huang ML, Ferrenberg J, et al. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction for detection of adenovirus after T cell-replete hematopoietic cell transplantation: viral load as a marker for invasive disease. Clinical Infectious Diseases. Oct 15 2007;45(8):958-965.