Molecular Epidemiology of Adenovirus Type 4 Infections in US Military Recruits in the Postvaccination Era (1997–2003)

Abstract

The data support the hypothesis that reservoirs for Ad outbreaks are within recruit training sites or in their immediate environments, not in the incoming recruit population. Molecular characterization beyond serotype is critical to understanding the transmission dynamics of Ad infection in these unique susceptible populations and to the implementation of effective prevention approaches.

Detection and Molecular Typing of Human Adenoviruses Associated with Respiratory Illnesses in Kerala

“…Adenovirus type 4 was reported in India during an outbreak of epidemic conjunctivitis that occurred in Chennai in 1991 (30,31). The association of adenovirus type 4 with respiratory illnesses was reported elsewhere in military recruits, but not a single case has been reported in India to date (32). In addition, the molecular characterization of respiratory adenovirus types in India is very limited.…”

“…Some adenovirus types are reported to cause severe diseases, especially types 3, 4, 7, and 21 (18)(19)(20). The adenovirus types that are most commonly associated with respiratory infections are HAdV-3, 7, and 21 of species B; HAdV-1, 2, 5, and 6 of species C; and, HAdV-4 of species E (21,22). HAdV-E4, the only member of species E, often causes conjunctivitis and respiratory infections (2,23,24).…”

Adenovirus Infections in Immunocompetent and Immunocompromised Patients

“…The majority of HAdV infections occur at a young age, and epidemics have been documented for both healthy children and adults in closed or crowded settings, including particularly military recruits (91)(92)(93). Vaccination programs for U.S. military trainees, covering the most commonly occurring HAdV types (types 4 and 7), were discontinued many years ago and were recently resumed with a newly available FDA-approved live oral vaccine against these two HAdV types.…”

Outbreak of Acute Respiratory Infection among Infants in Lisbon, Portugal, Caused by Human Adenovirus Serotype 3 and a New 7/3 Recombinant Strain

“…HAdV comprises 51 serotypes (HAdV-1 to HAdV-51), on the basis of type-specific antiserum-mediated neutralization of infectivity (10). The serotypes can be divided into seven species, named HAdV-A to HAdV-G, on the basis of hemagglutination inhibition and biochemical criteria (13). HAdV-B is further classified into subspecies B1 and B2, which use different cellular receptors for viral entry (29).…”