title: Molecular detection and characterization through analysis of the hexon and fiber genes of Adenoviruses causing conjunctivitis in Tunisia, North Africa.
abstract: Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are common causes of conjunctivitis. This study describes the epidemiological features and characterizes by phylogenetic analysis HAdVs isolated from patients with conjunctivitis in Tunisia, North Africa. Data on out-patients presenting with conjunctivitis during 2 years (2012-2013) were analyzed. Conjunctival swabs obtained from 240 patients were assessed for the presence of HAdVs by PCR amplification on the fiber and hexon genes. Positive PCR products, together with those of nine viral isolates from previous years, were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. Conjunctivitis represented 11.5% of all reasons of consultations with a slight increase between mid-March and mid-June. Sixty-five percent of samples (n = 156) revealed positive by at least one PCR test. PCR amplification in the hexon gene was slightly more sensitive as compared to the fiber gene. Genotyping in the two genomic regions gave concordant results for almost all isolates. HAdV-D8 was the most predominant genotype (87.6%) and was detected continuously from 2000 to 2013. Minor co-circulating genotypes including HAdV-E4, HAdV-B3, HAdV-B55, and HAdV-D37 were identified; most of them were detected by amplification in the hexon gene. In conclusion, this work reports molecular data on adenoviral conjunctivitis from a region where such information is scarce and contributes to a better knowledge of the worldwide distribution of causative genotypes. It revealed a predominance and endemic circulation of HAdV-D8, a genotype that was mainly reported from epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. It shows that PCR amplification in two different genomic regions enhances the sensitivity of HAdV detection in clinical samples and the identification of minor genotypes. J. Med. Virol. 89:304-312, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.|Faculty of Sciences of Bizerte, University of Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Nadia
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Fedaoui
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophtalmology Hedi Raies, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Narjess
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ben Ayed
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Ahlem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ben Yahia
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Walid
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hammami
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophtalmology Hedi Raies, Tunis, Tunisia.|University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Matri
authors.affiliation: Institute of Ophtalmology Hedi Raies, Tunis, Tunisia.|University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Leila
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Nacef
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Clinical Virology, Pasteur Institute of Tunis, Tunis, Tunisia.|University of Tunis El Manar, Tunis, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Henda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Triki
mesh_terms: D000256:Adenoviridae / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D000257:Adenoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003231:Conjunctivitis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology*; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D036022:Capsid Proteins; C018315:hexon capsid protein, Adenovirus
keywords: Tunisia; conjunctivitis/keratoconjunctivitis; human adenoviruses; molecular epidemiology