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Molecular epidemiology of adenovirus type 35 infections in immunocompromised hosts
Abstract:
Adenovirus type 35 (Ad35) is an uncommon group B adenovirus that has been isolated nearly exclusively from immunosuppressed hosts. In our series of 46 patients with Ad35 isolates, 36 had AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC), seven patients were immunocompromised because of other diseases, and three patients were "normal." Neither patients with AIDS or ARC made specific antibody to Ad35, whereas antibody was present in one immunocompetent host and one renal transplant recipient. All isolates were identified as Ad35 by using genomic analysis with the restriction endonuclease SmaI, but many viruses exhibited other group B hemagglutinins, a property of the fiber protein. Further analysis of DNAs from 40 of these isolates, mapped by using the enzymes BamHI, HpaI, and PstI, revealed a total of 14 genomic variants from the Ad35 prototype. Seven of these genomic types, with either Ad7 or Ad11 hemagglutinin, had corresponding restriction site differences within the fiber gene, a result consistent with recombination events with other group B adenoviruses.
Insights
Adenovirus type 35 (Ad35) rarely occurs in healthy individuals, predominantly affecting those with AIDS or other immunosuppressive conditions. Genomic analysis revealed Ad35 can recombine with other group B adenoviruses, creating new variants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Genetics
Background:
- Adenovirus type 35 (Ad35) is an uncommon group B adenovirus.
- Ad35 is predominantly isolated from immunosuppressed patients, including those with AIDS or AIDS-related complex (ARC).
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize Ad35 isolates from a patient cohort.
- To investigate the genomic diversity and potential recombination of Ad35.
Main Methods:
- Genomic analysis using restriction endonucleases (SmaI, BamHI, HpaI, PstI).
- Hemagglutinin characterization.
- Patient serological analysis for Ad35 antibodies.
Main Results:
- Of 46 Ad35 isolates, 36 were from patients with AIDS/ARC, seven from other immunocompromised individuals, and three from normal hosts.
- Patients with AIDS/ARC lacked specific Ad35 antibodies, unlike one immunocompetent host and one renal transplant recipient.
- Genomic analysis identified 14 variants of Ad35, with seven exhibiting Ad7 or Ad11 hemagglutinins, suggesting recombination with other group B adenoviruses.
Conclusions:
- Ad35 primarily infects immunosuppressed individuals, particularly those with AIDS.
- Ad35 exhibits genomic diversity and evidence of recombination with other group B adenoviruses, potentially influencing its tropism and pathogenicity.