Adenovirus

Question 1

Classification

Answer 1

Family: Adenoviridae

Genus:

Aviadenovirus (infect birds)

Mastadenovirus (infect mammals)

Species: Human Adenovirus

Called “Adeno” because it was 1st isolated from the adenoids

Question 2

Characteristics

Answer 2

Naked virus

Icosahedral nucleocapsid

Linear, dsDNA

No virion polymerase

49 serotypes (some associated with specific diseases)

Question 3

Transmission

Answer 3

Respiratory droplet mainly

Fecal-oral transmission from enteric strains

Iatrogenic transmission in eye disease

Affects mainly:

Children
Military recruits
Swimmers in public pools

Question 4

Pathogenesis

Answer 4

Infect epithelium of respiratory tract and eyes

After acute infection, persistent, low-grade virus production without symptoms can occur in the pharynx

Question 5

Disease

Answer 5

Three main diseases:

Tonsillitis (adenoids infection)

Conjunctivitis (pink-eye)

Haemorrhagic cystitis

Others:

Pharyngitis

Pneumonia

Enteric strains cause diarrhoea

Question 6

Microbiological diagnosis

Answer 6

• CPE in cell culture
• fluorescent antibody test
• compliment fixation test
• antibody titre rise in convalescent-phase serum is diagnostic

Question 7

Treatment and prevent

Answer 7

Treatment:

None

Prevention:

Live-attentuated vaccine against types 3, 4, and 7 in military to prevent pneumonia