Human adenovirus-36 antibody status is associated with obesity in children.
BACKGROUND
Human adenovirus-36 (Ad-36) is thought to induce obesity by a direct effect of the viral E4orf1 gene on lipogenic enzymes in host adipocytes. Ad-36 prevalence is 30% in obese adults, but prevalence has not been reported in childhood obesity.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the prevalence of Ad-36 infection in obese Korean children (age 14.8 +/- 1.9; range 8.3-6.3 years); correlation of infection with BMI z-score and other obesity measures.


METHODS
Blood was drawn at the annual school physical exam or clinic visit; Ad-36 status was determined by serum neutralization assay; and routine serum chemistry values.


RESULTS
A total of 30% of subjects were positive (N = 25) for Ad-36; 70% were negative (N = 59). Significantly higher BMI z-scores (1.92 vs. 1.65, p < 0.01) and waist circumferences (96.3 vs. 90.7 cm, p = 0.05) were found in infected versus uninfected children. Cardiovascular risk factors were not significantly different.


CONCLUSIONS
Ad-36 infection is common in obese Korean children and correlates highly with obesity. Ad-36 may have played a role in the obesity and Type 2 diabetes epidemic in children.
Atkinson
Richard L
RL
Obetech Obesity Research Center, Richmond, VA 23219, USA. ratkinson2@vcu.edu
Lee
Insil
I
Shin
Hye-Jung
HJ
He
Jia
J
D000258:Adenovirus Infections, Human / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000276:immunology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D012307:Risk Factors; D055105:Waist Circumference
D000914:Antibodies, Viral