AbstractObjectives This pilot study sought to examine the distribution of circulating adenovirus types among humans and other animals in Pakistan. Methods Patients with influenza-like illness or pneumonia at seven hospitals were enrolled and sampled (oropharyngeal or nasopharyngeal swabs) andtheir epidemiological data were collected. Concomitantly, livestock with respiratory symptoms in live bird markets and farms were also sampled. These specimens were screened for evidence of adenovirus infection. Results Out of 1705 total samples, 96 (8.8%) of 1084 humans and 15 (4%) of 385 poultry had molecular evidence of adenovirus. Infection in humans was significantly associated with wheezing, coughing, fever and sore throat and was greatest for participants with residence outside Punjab. Genetic sequencing identified co-circulation of HAdV-7 and HAdV-3 strains among humans. Further sequencing identified HAdV-C1, HAdV-5, HAdV-89, HAdV-12, and HAdV-56. Bovine adenovirus 2 was unexpectedly detected in a human nasal swab. Among poultry, FAdV-4 and FAdV-11 were identified. Conclusion Compared to other studies, there was a relatively high prevalence of adenoviruses among sick humans and poultry, with the unusual discovery of bovine adenovirus in a sick human's airway. There was considerable diversity among detected adenovirus strains. Given periodic adenovirus outbreaks in Pakistan, monitoring types in respiratory illness is key.
Ja et al. (Fri,) studied this question.