Name of the Procedure:

Infectious Agent Antigen Detection by Immunofluorescent Technique (IFA); Adenovirus Detection

Summary

The immunofluorescent technique for detecting adenovirus is a laboratory procedure used to identify the presence of adenovirus antigens in a sample. This helps healthcare providers diagnose infections caused by adenovirus accurately.

Purpose

This procedure is used to identify infections caused by adenovirus, which can lead to respiratory illnesses, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and other conditions. The goal is to confirm the presence of the virus quickly and accurately to guide appropriate treatment.

Indications

• Symptoms such as fever, cough, sore throat, or conjunctivitis.
• Gastrointestinal symptoms like diarrhea and vomiting.
• Suspected adenovirus infection in immunocompromised patients.
• Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis outbreaks. Patients with a recent exposure to confirmed cases of adenovirus.

Preparation

• No specific fasting or dietary restrictions are required.
• Patients may be asked to avoid certain medications that could interfere with sample collection.
• A thorough medical history and physical examination may be conducted.

Procedure Description

1. A sample is collected, typically a swab from the throat, nose, or eye, or a stool sample.
2. The collected sample is then placed on a glass slide and treated with fluorescent-labeled antibodies that specifically bind to adenovirus antigens.
3. The slide is examined under a fluorescence microscope.
4. If adenovirus antigens are present, they will fluoresce, indicating a positive result.

Tools, equipment, or technology used:

• Swabs for sample collection.
• Fluorescent-labeled antibodies.
• Fluorescence microscope.

Anesthesia or sedation details:

• None required, as the procedure is generally non-invasive.

Duration

The procedure for collecting the sample takes a few minutes. Laboratory analysis may take several hours to a day.

Setting

The sample collection can be done in a doctor’s office, hospital, or outpatient clinic. The analysis is conducted in a specialized laboratory.

Personnel

• Medical practitioners such as nurses or technicians collect the sample.
• Laboratory technicians perform the immunofluorescent assay.
• Pathologists or laboratory directors interpret the results.

Risks and Complications

Common risks:

• Discomfort or minor irritation at the sample collection site.

Rare risks:

• False positives or negatives due to improper sample collection or handling.

Possible complications and their management:

• Minimal risk of infection or bleeding at the collection site; use aseptic techniques to minimize.

Benefits

• Quick and accurate detection of adenovirus.
• Helps in the timely initiation of appropriate treatment.
• Facilitates public health interventions in case of outbreaks.

Recovery

• No specific recovery needed as the procedure is non-invasive.
• Patients can resume normal activities immediately after sample collection.
• Follow-up depends on treatment outcomes and severity of symptoms.

Alternatives

• Adenovirus PCR testing.
• Viral culture methods.
• Serological tests.

Pros and cons of alternatives:

• PCR: High sensitivity and specificity but more costly.
• Viral culture: Longer time to results but can provide additional information on virus strain.
• Serological tests: Not useful for acute diagnosis but good for determining past infection.

Patient Experience

During the procedure, patients may experience mild discomfort during sample collection, such as a gag reflex with throat swabs or a brief sting with nasal swabs. After the procedure, there are generally no lasting effects, and pain management is not typically necessary.