Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection in children with acute respiratory tract infections in Guangzhou, China, 2010–2021: a molecular epidemiology study

Abstract

Background Human adenovirus (HAdV) infection can cause a variety of diseases. It is a major pathogen of pediatric acute respiratory tract infections (ARIs) and can be life-threatening in younger children. We described the epidemiology and subtypes shifting of HAdV among children with ARI in Guangzhou, China. Methods We conducted a retrospective study of 161,079 children diagnosed with acute respiratory illness at the Guangzhou Women and Children’s Medical Center between 2010 and 2021. HAdV specimens were detected by real-time PCR and the hexon gene was used for phylogenetic analysis. Results Before the COVID-19 outbreak in Guangzhou, the annual frequency of adenovirus infection detected during this period ranged from 3.92% to 13.58%, with an epidemic peak every four to five years. HAdV demonstrated a clear seasonal distribution, with the lowest positivity in March and peaking during summer (July or August) every year. A significant increase in HAdV cases was recorded for 2018 and 2019, which coincided with a shift in the dominant HAdV subtype from HAdV-3 to HAdV-7. The latter was associated with a more severe disease compared to HAdV-3. The average mortality proportion for children infected with HAdV from 2016 to 2019 was 0.38% but increased to 20% in severe cases. After COVID-19 emerged, HAdV cases dropped to 2.68%, suggesting that non-pharmaceutical interventions probably reduced the transmission of HAdV in the community. Conclusion Our study provides the foundation for the understanding of the epidemiology of HAdV and its associated risks in children in Southern China.

The changed endemic pattern of human adenovirus from species B to C among pediatric patients under the pressure of non-pharmaceutical interventions against COVID-19 in Beijing, China

“…Accumulated data revealed that under the NPIs targeting SARS-CoV-2, the epidemic trends of respiratory viruses had changed, such as the long-term dormancy period of Flu [ 2 ], the delay of RSV epidemic season [ 3 ] and the surge of Rh [ 4 ]. The survey of children in Guangzhou showed that the HAdV positive cases decreased significantly from 2020 to 2021 due to the NPIs against SARS-CoV-2 [ 22 ]. Low levels of HAdV prevalence also were shown in another survey in Beijing among children and adults.…”

Clinical epidemiology and disease burden of adenoviral encephalitis in hospitalized children in China: A nationwide cross‐sectional study

“…Although there have been few reported cases to date, intermittent outbreaks have arisen due to the widespread prevalence of HAdV. 21,22 When contracted, adenovirus encephalitis results in a rapid onset of severe symptoms and may lead to a range of complications in various systems, often necessitating hospitalization for affected children. This study aims to analyze and summarize the FSMRs data from hospitalized children with adenovirus encephalitis in China between 2016 and 2018.…”

Human adenovirus infection induces pulmonary inflammatory damage by triggering noncanonical inflammasomes activation and macrophage pyroptosis

“…Human adenovirus (HAdV), a member of the family Adenoviridae, is a common pathogen of respiratory tract infection in childhood and immunocompromised persons with high morbidity and mortality (1)(2)(3). There are seven different HAdV species (A-G), and to date, over 110 genotypes have been identified (1).…”

“…Human adenovirus (HAdV), a member of the family Adenoviridae, is a common pathogen of respiratory tract infection in childhood and immunocompromised persons with high morbidity and mortality (1)(2)(3). There are seven different HAdV species (A-G), and to date, over 110 genotypes have been identified (1). And HAdV infection in children can cause numerous diseases such as pleural effusions, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, myocarditis, and even death (3)(4)(5)(6).…”

“…And HAdV infection in children can cause numerous diseases such as pleural effusions, acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), respiratory failure, myocarditis, and even death (3)(4)(5)(6). Epidemiology suggests that among these serotypes, HAdV-3 and -7 are the most common types causing severe respiratory disease in children less than 5 years old worldwide (1)(2)(3)7).…”