Molecular characterization of human adenovirus causing infantile acute gastroenteritis in Venezuela before and after rotavirus vaccine implementation.

• Human adenoviruses 40/41 causing AGE showed a progressive increase from 2001 to 2013. • HAdV-F41 predominated over other adenovirus types. • It was a higher detection rate in rotavirus vaccinated than unvaccinated children. • Enteric adenovirus 40/41 showed high genetic similarity to worldwide strains. • Molecular characterization of HAdV provides critical epidemiological information. Human adenoviruses (HAdV) of species F are commonly involved in pediatric acute gastroenteritis (AGE). The real impact on Venezuelan health is unknown. To investigate the prevalence and molecular diversity of HAdV in Venezuela, 630 fecal samples collected from children with AGE in 3 cities, from 2001 to 2013, were tested by PCR. Species F and types F40/41 were identified by REA. HAdV was detected in 123 cases (19.5%), most from outpatient females under 24 months old. A progressive and substantial increase in the detection rate was observed over time, significantly higher in rotavirus vaccinated than unvaccinated children (28.4% vs. 9.5%, P = 0.00019). Phylogenetic analysis of 28 randomly selected genomes showed high similarity among HAdV-F40/41 and those worldwide. HAdV-F of type 41 prevailed (79.8%) and clustered into 2 intratypic major clades. The significant involvement of HAdV-F41 in AGE suggests the importance of actively monitoring viral agents other than rotavirus, especially after vaccine introduction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]