Characterization of species B adenoviruses isolated from fecal specimens taken from poliomyelitis-suspected cases.
BACKGROUND
Human adenoviruses are classified into six species, A-F, and 51 serotypes are recognized. Adenoviruses can cause a broad range of diseases. Serotypes 3, 7 and 21 are most commonly associated with CNS disease. Serotype 21 (specie B) was isolated from brain tissue and CSF of patients with acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) in Malaysia.


OBJECTIVE
Characterize, by molecular methods, species B adenoviruses isolated from poliomyelitis-suspected cases and investigate the possible etiological role of adenoviruses in acute flaccid paralysis (AFP).


METHODS
622 virus isolates, including Sabin-related polioviruses, non-polio enteroviruses (NPEV) and adenoviruses, were recovered from fecal specimens in our laboratory during the period of 1997-2002 from AFP cases occurring in Brazil, Peru and Bolivia. Negative controls consisted of 528 fecal specimens collected from healthy children <==5 of age. Of these, 478 were contacts of AFP negative cases and 50 were from a day-care center.


RESULTS
Sixty-four adenovirus strains isolated in HEp2 (human laryngeal tumor cells) cells were confirmed as such by an adenovirus-group specific PCR. Nucleotide sequencing identified the following adenovirus species: A (3 isolates), B (20 isolates), C (38 isolates), D (2 isolates) and E (1 isolate). The following serotypes belonging to the species B were identified: Ad3 (1 strain), Ad7 (17 strains) and, Ad16 (2 strains).


CONCLUSIONS
Other viral agents became more recognized in association with CNS diseases in areas where wild polioviruses have been eradicated. The possible role of species B adenoviruses in the etiology of AFP cases similar to that caused by wild poliovirus is discussed.
de Azevedo
Juliana P R
JP
Laboratorio de Enterovirus, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Avenida Brasil 4365, Manguinhos, 21045-900 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. jupessoa@ioc.fiocruz.br
Nascimento
Luciana R S
LR
Cortinovis
Michelle C S
MC
Oliveira
Silas S
SS
da Costa
Eliane V
EV
da Silva
Edson E
EE
D000208:Acute Disease; D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000472:pathogenicity; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004769:Enterovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D010243:Paralysis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*