[Antigens of adeno-associated viruses in children dying from acute respiratory disease].

Infection with adeno-associated viruses (AAV) early in life and extensive dissemination of these viruses in infants were discovered by detection of AAV antigen by the fluorescent antibody procedure in autopsy materials from infants dying of acute respiratory viral diseases. AAV antigens were found in cells from various organs of infants aged 2,5, 7, 9 days and older. In each individual case AAV of the same serological type was found in different organs. In 4-months-old twins AAV antigens of the same serotypes, 1 and 4, were found in the trachea, lungs, liver, kidney, brains. Out of 21 infants dying of adenovirus infection, 20 had AAV antigens the distribution of which in cells of various organs was analogous to that of the adenovirus antigen, with a few exceptions. Three infants had no adenovirus infection and no AAV antigne. In the other 6 infants no adenovirus antigen but AAV antigens were found. In the latter cases herpes virus infection is not excluded. Possible modes of transmission of AAV infection are discussed.