Molecular Prevalence and Genotype Distribution of Human Adenovirus in Iranian Children with Gastroenteritis

Abstract

Objective

We determined the molecular prevalence and genotype distribution of human adenovirus (HAdV) among children under five years of age with gastroenteritis in Iran.

Methods

One hundred stool samples from children hospitalized were tested by PCR for adenovirus, and some of the positive samples were sequenced to determine the specific genotype.

Results

HAdV DNA was found in 15 samples (15%). The highest and the lowest prevalence of HAdV was observed in the age groups 24–60 months (n = 6; 40%) and 7–12 months (n = 2; 13.3%), respectively (p = 0.01). Nine HAdV-positive samples were sequenced, of which four isolates were HAdV type 2 and five isolates were HAdV type 41.

Conclusion

HAdV was most common in the 24–60-month-old children. Of the samples sequenced, we found only types 2 and 41. Our results show that in addition to HAdV types 40 and 41, HAdV type 2 may also play a role in causing gastroenteritis in children.

Keywords:

• Adenovirus
• diarrhea
• children
• gastroenteritis
• molecular prevalence

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to acknowledge the members of the Institute of Immunology and Infectious Diseases.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This study was financially supported by the Iran University of Medical Sciences (Grant Number: 1401-2-78-23778).