Clinical Correlation of Adenoviral Load in the Respiratory Tract Measured by Digital PCR in Immunocompromised Children

Abstract

Immunocompromised patients can have life-threatening adenoviral infection. Viral load in blood and stool is commonly used to guide antiviral therapy. We developed and evaluated a digital polymerase chain reaction assay to quantify human adenovirus in the respiratory tract and showed that higher peak load correlates with disseminated infection, mechanical ventilation, and death.

Keywords: adenovirus; children; digital PCR; immunocompromised; viral load.