Adenovirus in Solid Organ Transplantation

Adenoviruses are nonenveloped, lytic double-stranded DNA viruses typically associated in immunocompetent patients with self-limited respiratory, gastrointestinal or conjunctival disease throughout the year (1). Adenovirus infections are endemic in pediatric populations and people living in close quarters (such as college students and military recruits; Ref. 1). Although even in organ transplant recipients these infections may be asymptomatic, as with other infections in immunocompromised patients, adenovirus infections can be severe, prolonged, disseminated, and impact morbidity, mortality and graft survival (2,3).