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Updated: Jun 7, 2026
Utilizing the Antigen Capsid-Incorporation Strategy for the Development of Adenovirus Serotype 5-Vectored Vaccine Approaches
Published on: May 6, 2015
Molecular characterization of adenovirus from clinical samples through analysis of the hexon and fiber genes
G La Rosa1, M Iaconelli, M Pourshaban
1Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Department of Environment and Primary Prevention, Rome, Italy. giuseppina.larosa@iss.it
Abstract:
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are common pathogens associated with a variety of clinical manifestations. Although most infections are self-limiting, HAdVs can cause severe or lethal infections in immunocompromised as well as in healthy individuals. Several HAdVs have recently been characterized as emerging pathogens. In Italy, epidemiological, and especially molecular epidemiological, information on this pathogen is scarce. This study describes the characterization by cell culture, PCR and phylogenetic analysis of HAdV strains originating from a small collection of clinical samples gathered between 2008 and 2009. The distribution of different HAdV species was studied and the possible presence of newly emerging types was ascertained. A broad-range primer pair was used, targeting a portion of the hexon gene, in combination with species-specific primer pairs targeting a portion of the fiber gene. Human and animal reference AdV strains were included in the study. The broad-range assay identified all HAdV strains (study and reference samples), as well as three out of four animal AdV reference strains. Seven different types belonging to three HAdV species (B, C and F) were identified in the study samples. Species C was by far the most frequent. Two co-infections were detected, each with two serotypes within species C (types 1/2 and 2/6). The combined use of these two PCR assays--allowing not only the identification of known types but also, potentially, the discovery of newly emerging ones--can provide valuable epidemiological information on the spread of HAdVs.
Insights
This study identified seven human adenovirus (HAdV) types in Italy, with species C being most frequent. Molecular methods detected co-infections, aiding HAdV epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are significant pathogens causing diverse clinical symptoms.
- While often self-limiting, HAdVs can lead to severe or fatal infections in various individuals.
- Emerging HAdV types pose a growing concern, with limited molecular epidemiological data in Italy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize HAdV strains from Italian clinical samples (2008-2009).
- To determine the distribution of HAdV species and identify potential emerging types.
- To evaluate PCR-based methods for HAdV detection and epidemiological surveillance.
Main Methods:
- Cell culture, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), and phylogenetic analysis were employed.
- A broad-range PCR targeting the hexon gene was used for general HAdV detection.
- Species-specific PCR assays targeting the fiber gene were utilized for type identification.
Main Results:
- Seven HAdV types from species B, C, and F were identified in the clinical samples.
- HAdV species C was the predominant type identified.
- Two co-infections involving HAdV types within species C were detected.
Conclusions:
- The combined PCR approach effectively identifies known HAdV types and has potential for discovering novel emerging types.
- This molecular strategy provides valuable epidemiological insights into HAdV circulation.
- The findings highlight the importance of molecular epidemiology for understanding HAdV prevalence in Italy.
