Respiratory adenovirus infections in immunocompetent and immunocompromised adult patients

Adenovirus (AdV) can cause severe respiratory infections in children and immunocompromised patients, but less is known about severe AdV pneumonia in immunocompetent adults. In this retrospective study, we compared respiratory tract infections and pneumonia caused by AdV in immunocompromised and immunocompetent adult patients regarding clinical presentation and severity of infection. The results show that AdV can cause severe infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients, and the clinical presentation and need for hospitalisation, mechanical ventilation and antiviral treatment were equal in both groups. No underlying risk factors for severe AdV infection in healthy individuals were identified.