Antibody response to enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 in sera from people in various age groups.

A total of 322 single and paired serum samples from children (newborn to 10 years old), young adults (18 to 20 years old), pregnant women and their cord serum samples, and elderly people (more than 70 years old) was tested for antibodies to enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 by neutralization test. Serum samples were also tested for antibody to the common antigen of adenovirus by enzyme immunoassay. The incidence of antibodies rose gradually through childhood. Antibodies were found in 20% of children between 1 and 6 months old and in 50% of those 37 to 48 months old. Of serum samples from young adults, 48% had antibodies. Antibodies were found in 10% of serum samples from the aged. Of patients with acute gastroenteritis, 19% showed a significant rise in antibody to adenovirus type 40 or 41 or both, and 42% of the same serum samples had a significant rise in antibody to rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay. None of the serum samples tested was negative to adenovirus common antigen.