Adenovirus

Abstract

Of the 53 different human adenovirus (HAdV) serotypes belonging to species A-G, a significant number are associated with acute respiratory, gastrointestinal and ocular infections. Replication-defective HAdV-5-based vectors also continue to play a significant role in gene transfer trials and in vaccine delivery efforts in the clinic. Although significant progress has been made from studies of AdV biology, we still have an incomplete understanding of AdV's structure as well as its multifactorial interactions with the host. Continuing efforts to improve knowledge in these areas, as discussed in this chapter, will be crucial for revealing the mechanisms of AdV pathogenesis and for allowing optimal use of AdV vectors for biomedical applications. © Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2010.