Use of Whole-Genome Sequencing of Adenovirus in Immunocompromised Pediatric Patients to Identify Nosocomial Transmission and Mixed-Genotype Infection

Background Adenoviruses are significant pathogens for the immunocompromised, arising from primary infection or reinfection. Serotyping is insufficient to support nosocomial transmission investigations. We investigate whether whole-genome sequencing (WGS) provides clinically relevant information on transmission among patients in a pediatric tertiary hospital. Methods We developed a target-enriched adenovirus WGS technique for clinical samples and retrospectively sequenced 107 adenovirus-positive residual diagnostic samples, including viremias (>5 × 104 copies/mL), from 37 patients collected January 2011-March 2016. Whole-genome sequencing was used to determine genotype and for phylogenetic analysis. Results Adenovirus sequences were recovered from 105 of 107 samples. Full genome sequences were recovered from all 20 nonspecies C samples and from 36 of 85 species C viruses, with partial genome sequences recovered from the rest. Whole-genome phylogenetic analysis suggested linkage of 3 genotype A31 cases and uncovered an unsuspected epidemiological link to an A31 infection first detected on the same ward 4 years earlier. In 9 samples from 1 patient who died, we identified a mixed genotype adenovirus infection. Conclusions Adenovirus WGS from clinical samples is possible and useful for genotyping and molecular epidemiology. Whole-genome sequencing identified likely nosocomial transmission with greater resolution than conventional genotyping and distinguished between adenovirus disease due to single or multiple genotypes.