title: High prevalence and diversity of species D adenoviruses (HAdV-D) in human populations of four Sub-Saharan countries.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Human adenoviruses of species D (HAdV-D) can be associated with acute respiratory illness, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis, and gastroenteritis, but subclinical HAdV-D infections with prolonged shedding have also been observed, particularly in immunocompromised hosts. To expand knowledge on HAdV-D in Sub-Saharan Africa, we investigated the prevalence, epidemiology and pathogenic potential of HAdV-D in humans from rural areas of 4 Sub-Saharan countries, Côte d'Ivoire (CI), Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Central African Republic (CAR) and Uganda (UG).
  
  
  METHODS
  Stool samples were collected from 287 people living in rural regions in CI, DRC, CAR and UG. HAdV-D prevalence and diversity were determined by PCR and sequencing. A gene block, spanning the genes pV to hexon, was used for analysis of genetic distance. Correlation between adenovirus infection and disease symptoms, prevalence differences, and the effect of age and gender on infection status were analyzed with cross tables and logistic regression models.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of HAdV-D in the investigated sites was estimated to be 66% in CI, 48% in DRC, 28% in CAR (adults only) and 65% in UG (adults only). Younger individuals were more frequently infected than adults; there was no difference in HAdV-D occurrence between genders. No correlation could be found between HAdV-D infection and clinical symptoms. Highly diverse HAdV-D sequences were identified, among which a number are likely to stand for novel types.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HAdV-D was detected with a high prevalence in study populations of 4 Sub-Saharan countries. The genetic diversity of the virus was high and further investigations are needed to pinpoint pathological potential of each of the viruses. High diversity may also favor the emergence of recombinants with altered tropism and pathogenic properties.
authors: Maude
authors: M
authors: Pauly
authors: Eileen
authors: E
authors: Hoppe
authors: Lawrence
authors: L
authors: Mugisha
authors: Klara
authors: K
authors: Petrzelkova
authors: Chantal
authors: C
authors: Akoua-Koffi
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Couacy-Hymann
authors: Augustin Etile
authors: AE
authors: Anoh
authors: Arsène
authors: A
authors: Mossoun
authors: Grit
authors: G
authors: Schubert
authors: Lidewij
authors: L
authors: Wiersma
authors: Sabwe
authors: S
authors: Pascale
authors: Jean-Jacques
authors: JJ
authors: Muyembe
authors: Stomy
authors: S
authors: Karhemere
authors: Sabrina
authors: S
authors: Weiss
authors: Siv Aina
authors: SA
authors: Leendertz
authors: Sébastien
authors: S
authors: Calvignac-Spencer
authors: Fabian H
authors: FH
authors: Leendertz
authors: Division 12 "Measles, Mumps, Rubella and Viruses affecting immunocompromised patients", Robert Koch Institute, Berlin 13353, Germany. ehlersb@rki.de.
authors: Bernhard
authors: B
authors: Ehlers
mesh_terms: D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D000260:Adenoviruses, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017954:Africa South of the Sahara / Q000453:epidemiology; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015995:Prevalence; D012424:Rural Population; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014838:Volunteers; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral