Introduction

Adenovirus pneumonia is not uncommon in children and immunocompromised patients. However, the study of the clinical and computed tomography (CT) characteristics of Adenovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent adults is still limited.

Objective

The objective of this study was to retrospectively observe the clinical and CT characteristics as well as their dynamic change of Adenovirus pneumonia in immunocompetent adults.

Methods

Twenty patients (18 males, median age, 36 years old) with Adenovirus pneumonia were retrospectively included from January 2018 to December 2019. Clinical information and chest CT at admission of all patients were reviewed. Twelve patients underwent serial CT scans, and the temporal changes of CT findings were summarized. Pneumonia severity index (PSI) was calculated according to clinical information.

Results

The median time interval from illness onset to admission was 6 days (interquartile range [IQR], 5–7.5 days). The clinical characteristics included the high fever (39.2 ± 0.8°C) with the normal white blood cell count, the decreased lymphocyte, and elevated C-reactive protein. Ten cases complicated with mycoplasma infection at admission. Thirteen patients were mechanically ventilated, and two patients died during hospitalization. Consolidation was a predominant pattern found during the first 2 weeks and then resolved to minimal consolidation after the fourth week. There was no significant correlation between CT score and PSI score (r = 0.15, p = 0.41).

Conclusions

Predominant radiological finding of Adenovirus pneumonia was consolidation. Multilobular involvement, higher CT scores, and pleural effusion were found in more severe patients. The abnormal opacity peaked in 2 weeks of illness onset and gradually resolved after the third week. The temporal changes of radiological score are consistent with clinical findings.