Etiology:  Adenovirus is a non-enveloped DNA virus that causes respiratory disease in guinea pigs.

Transmission:  Adenovirus is spread by direct contact.

Incidence:  Prevalence is unknown but subclinical infections likely occur.  There is low morbidity with high mortality, especially in young animals

Clinical Signs:  Anorexia and dyspnea are a few of the clinical signs expressed.  Tracheobronchitis is the most common disease manifestation.  Animals can develop pneumonia with minimal to moderate cranioventral consolidation of the lungs.

Pathology:  Infection causes necrotizing bronchiolitis with desquamation of the epithelium.  Basophilic intranuclear inclusions are present in desquamated or intact cells.  There are pyogranulomatous peribronchiolar and perivascular infiltrates.

Diagnosis:  Diagnosis is made by histopathologic identification of inclusions and serology (MFI, IFA) using guinea pig adenoviral antigens.