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Outbreak of infantile gastroenteritis due to type 40 adenovirus
Insights
A novel adenovirus strain (EAd) caused gastroenteritis in infants. This study identified EAd as the first identified member of adenovirus subgroup F, highlighting its genetic and antigenic distinctiveness.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Gastroenteritis outbreaks in institutional settings pose public health challenges.
- Adenoviruses are common causes of viral gastroenteritis, particularly in children.
- Subtyping of adenoviruses is crucial for understanding transmission and epidemiology.
Purpose of the Study:
- To genetically and antigenically characterize a novel adenovirus (EAd) strain.
- To identify the causative agent of a gastroenteritis outbreak in an orphanage.
- To determine the phylogenetic and antigenic relationship of EAd to known adenovirus subgroups.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of adenovirus (EAd) from stool samples.
- Genetic analysis using DNA homology studies.
- Antigenic characterization through immune electron microscopy and seroconversion studies.
- Comparison with known adenovirus types and subgroups.
Main Results:
- Seven of eleven infants in an orphanage experienced diarrhea, shedding adenoviruses.
- Immune electron microscopy confirmed seroconversion to EAd in patients and contacts.
- EAd showed minimal DNA homology with adenoviruses from subgroups A-E.
- Antigenic analysis revealed EAd is closely related to adenovirus type 40, the sole member of subgroup F.
Conclusions:
- This outbreak represents the first documented case of gastroenteritis caused by an adenovirus from subgroup F.
- The genetic and antigenic distinctiveness of EAd supports its classification within a new adenovirus subgroup.
- Identification of EAd provides crucial epidemiological data for adenovirus gastroenteritis.
Abstract:
Genetic and antigenic characterisation was performed on a strain of adenovirus (EAd) isolated from an outbreak of gastroenteritis which occurred in an orphanage in the City of Sapporo, in the room housing the eldest children, who ranged in age from 14 to 22 months. 7 of the 11 children housed in that room had diarrhoea between July 11 and July 22, 1982. All 7 shed adenoviruses detectable by electron microscopy in their stools. Immune electron microscopy showed that all patients as well as the healthy contacts sharing the room underwent seroconversion to EAd. There was no homology, or very slight homology, between DNA of EAd and those of adenoviruses belonging to subgroups A to E. Antigenically EAd was closely related to type 40 adenovirus, so far the sole member of the newly identified subgroup F. This outbreak of gastroenteritis is the first in which the causative agent has been identified as being a member of subgroup F adenoviruses.