Genomic analyses of human adenoviruses unravel novel recombinant genotypes associated with severe infections in pediatric patients

Joyce Odeke Akello, Richard Kamgang, Maria Teresa Barbani, Franziska Suter-Riniker, Christoph Aebi, Christian Beuret, Daniel H. Paris, Stephen L. Leib and Alban Ramette

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are highly contagious pathogens of clinical importance, especially among the pediatric population. Comparing HAdV strains showed that HAdV species C genotypes (HAdV1, HAdV2, and HAdV5) are associated with more severe disease (meningitis, sepsis, convulsion, sudden infant death syndrome, death, and hospitalization). One sample, isolated from a patient presenting with sepsis and meningitis showed intertypic recombination events involving four genotypes of HAdVs. Overall he incidence of potential recombination events was higher in severe cases than in mild cases. The findings confirm that recombination among HAdVs is important for molecular evolution and emergence of new strains.

Published December 2021 in Scientific Reports

       Joyce recombination II

HONOURs

Host switching pathogens, infectious outbreaks and zoonosis; a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network.

This project has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 721367.