Abstract
Purpose::
To detect the genetic changes in adenovirus serotype 37(HAdV-37) isolated in 2003 when HAdV-37 was the predominant causative agent of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis(EKC) in Japan.
Methods::
Eight HAdV-37 strains were isolated from the patients with EKC in three months (July through September), 2003. Viral DNA was extracted and then DNA restriction analysis was performed with eight kinds of restriction endonucleases. The entirety of each hexon gene and fiber gene was amplified by the PCR method and then the nucleotide sequences of the entire hexon and fiber genes were determined.
Results::
Four new genome types, including a new intermediate HAdV-22-37/8 were identified. The new genome types were named D13-D16. By DNA sequence analysis, multiple nucleotide mutations were detected. Accordingly, many amino acid substitutions were induced by the nucleotide mutations.
Conclusions::
HAdV-37 showed higher genetic variability than before in Japan. The recent epidemic of adenovirus keratoconjunctivitis seemed to be partly caused by the new gene mutations.
Keywords: adenovirus • conjunctivitis • inflammation