[Gastroenteritis caused by enteric adenovirus serotypes 40 and 41. Preliminary study].

We present the preliminary results of a prospective study of childhood gastroenteritis associated with enteric adenovirus (AE-40 and AE-41). In a period of five months we have studied 499 children with enteritis; 9 (1.8%) were positive for enteric adenoviruses (latex agglutination). The mean age of the children was 16.2 months (extreme ages 10 days and 5 years). The mean duration of diarrhoea was 2.8 days with 4-5 times daily. Respiratory symptoms were present in 44.4% of the patients and one patient was infected simultaneously with Campylobacter jejuni. All clinical syndromes were self-limiting and were treated with diet and rehydration.