Epidemiological characteristics of adenovirus in children in Yancheng, China, 2023-2024

Abstract

Objective: To understand the epidemiology and evolutionary characteristics of human adenovirus (HAdV) infecting children in Yancheng, China, during the winter of 2023-2024. Methods: HAdV-positive throat swab samples were collected from pediatric patients in Yancheng. The Hexon, Penton base, and Fiber genes were amplified and sequenced for typing and phylogenetic analysis of HAdV. Results: 170 HAdV-positive samples were collected and identified from children with acute respiratory infection (ARI) in Yancheng. A total of 133 samples were successfully amplified and sequenced for Hexon, Penton base, and Fiber genes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that HAdV-B3 was the dominant circulating strain, and two strains of B21, one strain of C1 and one strain of C5 were also identified. Conclusion: During the winter of 2023-2024, HAdV infecting children in Yancheng was mainly the B3 type.