Detection and molecular characterization of adenoviruses in Korean children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis

ABSTRACT Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are an important cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. However, few studies on the epidemiology or types of HAdVs associated with acute gastroenteritis have been conducted in Korea. Therefore, in the present study, the incidence of HAdV in 2064 stool samples from Korean children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis (2004–2006) was assessed and the types of viruses present determined. Polymerase chain reaction, sequencing, and phylogenic analyses revealed that 113 samples (5.5%) were HAdV‐positive. While HAdVs were mainly detected during July to October, no seasonal difference between the enteric and non‐enteric viruses in the incidence of HAdV was observed. HAdV‐41 and HAdV‐40 were found in 54 (47.8%) and 3 (2.6%) HAdV‐positive samples, respectively. HAdV‐3, HAdV‐7, HAdV‐2, HAdV‐31, HAdV‐4, and HAdV‐37 were detected in 11 (9.7%), 5 (4.4%), 2 (1.7%), 2 (1.7%), 1 (0.8%), and 1 (0.8%) of sample(s), respectively. Thus, not only enteric, but also non‐enteric, HAdVs may play an important role in acute gastroenteritis in Korean children.