First isolation of enteric adenoviruses type 41 from children with acute gastroenteritis in Hungary

In a retrospective study, 122 stool specimens, collected 1989-1990, from children with gastroenteritis were found to contain adenoviruses. Twenty-nine adenoviruses of 50 randomly selected adenovirus-positive fecal samples were successfully propagated in Graham 293 cells and were typed by DNA restriction enzyme analysis with SmaI. Six strains were typed as adenovirus 41 (Ad41), and 23 strains as non-enteric adenovirus. All six adenoviruses type 41 had the same DNA pattern identical with that of the variant Ad41/D12. Ad40 viruses were not detected. Enteric Ad41 infections were observed only in males and were found throughout the year. This is the first report on isolation and typing of enteric adenoviruses 41 in Hungary.