Epidemiological characteristics and genotypes of human adenovirus among children in Xuzhou from 2013 to 2017

Objective To study the epidemiological characteristics and genotypes of human adenovirus (HAdv) in Xuzhou from 2013 to 2017. Methods A total of 5 177 swap samples were collected from children with influenza-like illness in Xuzhou Children’s Hospital during 2013-2017. HAdv was detected by Real-time PCR. Partial sequences of HAdV hexon gene were amplified from the positive samples, sequenced and genotyped. Results Among the 5 177 samples, 174 samples were tested positive of HAdV, and the detection rate was 3.36%. Among them, the highest detection rate was 5.30% (111/2 095) in the 3-6 years old group. Adenovirus was detected in each month, with peaks of detection in May and June, accounting for 43.10% (75/174) of all positive cases. The genotype analysis showed that 10 genotypes of adenoviruses belonged to B, C and E subgroups were detected. The proportion of subgroup B adenovirus was the highest, accounting for 80.46% (140 cases) , including 107 cases of HAdV-3, 20 cases of HAdV-7, 8 cases of HAdV-55 and 5 cases of HAdV-14. The group C accounted for 12.07% (21 cases), including 13 cases of HAdV-1, 5 cases of HAdV-2, and 1 case each of HAdV-5, 6 and HAdV-57. HAdV-E4 accounted for 7.47% (13 cases). Conclusions The detection rate of adenovirus among children with respiratory diseases in Xuzhou was 3.36% from 2013 to 2017. The predominant genotypes of HAdV infection were adenovirus genotypes 3 and 7, followed by genotypes 1 and 4. The prevalence of adenovirus in 2013-2014 were mainly genotype 3 and 7. After 2015, adenovirus genotype 3 gradually became the dominant type. Key words: Adenoviruses; Children; Epidemiology; Genotyping