Presence of human adenovirus 36 in an urban rodent population

Adenovirus 36 (AdV36) is a virus associated with respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in humans; interestingly, it also exhibits adipogenic potential, as demonstrated in experimental rodent infections and in human adipose tissue. To detect AdV36 in faecal samples from synanthropic rodents captured in Mexico City, a total of 55 wild rodents (15 Mus musculus and 40 Rattus norvegicus) were trapped in the public park ‘Canal Nacional’ in the southeast of Mexico City. Animals were euthanized, and faecal samples were collected by necropsy. Epidemiological data were also recorded. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) sequencing, phylogenetic, haplotype network and genetic variability analyses of the E1a and E3 AdV36 genes were performed. The proportion of faecal samples positive for the AdV36 E1a gene was 6.7% in M. musculus and 35% in R. norvegicus. Comparisons by body weight revealed significant differences among R. norvegicus-positive rats. Phylogenetic and haplotype analyses grouped these sequences within the AdV36 cluster and showed shared viral haplotypes with human AdV36 sequences. Our findings show that AdV36 can be detected in the faeces of synanthropic rodents and shares haplotypes with those found in humans, suggesting a zoonotic potential.