Detection of enteric‐ and non‐enteric adenoviruses in gastroenteritis patients, Bangladesh, 2012‐2015

Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are common cause of nonbacterial acute gastroenteritis worldwide. Limited data exist on HAdVs molecular epidemiology associated with acute gastroenteritis in Bangladesh. We describe the genetic diversity and epidemiology of HAdVs among hospitalized diarrhea patients, including HAdV genotypes, clinical symptoms, and co‐infecting enteric pathogens. Stool samples were collected from ongoing diarrhea surveillance during 2012‐2015. HAdV was detected using PCR and genotyped by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Detailed socio‐demographic and clinical information regarding each individual was recorded such as duration of diarrhea, dehydration status, vomiting, abdominal pain, fever, and severity. Of 871 fecal specimens, HAdV DNA was detected in 93 (10.7%). Among them 56% were co‐infected with other known enteric viral and bacterial pathogens and 31.6% had severe gastroenteritis. The majority (55%) of HAdV positives were children