Comprehensive serotyping and epidemiology of human adenovirus isolated from the respiratory tract of Korean children over 17 consecutive years (1991-2007).

Among the 53 serotypes of human adenoviruses (HAdVs), identified to date, only a limited number have been associated with human respiratory infections. The epidemiology of each of the serotypes differs depending on the location and/or time of surveillance. This study was performed to elucidate the epidemiology of HAdV respiratory infections by comprehensive serotyping of the HAdVs isolated from the respiratory tract of Korean children. HAdVs isolated from respiratory specimens of Korean children over 17 consecutive years (1991-2007) were typed by the neutralization test or molecular methods, including two-sets of multiplex PCR assays, and/or sequence analysis of the hexon gene. From January 1991 through December 2007, a total of 741 isolates were obtained from nasal aspirates of children hospitalized or requiring medical treatment in the emergency room. All isolates were type-determined successfully and 13 different serotypes were identified, which included HAdV serotypes 1-8, 11, 19, 34, 37, and 41. HAdV-3 (n = 285, 37.7%) and HAdV-7 (n = 181, 23.9%) were the predominant serotypes; HAdV-8, -11, -19, -34, -37, and -41 were not usually associated with respiratory diseases. HAdV-3 was present both during outbreaks and in sporadic cases. HAdV-7 emerged in a very large outbreak, followed by smaller outbreaks. HAdV-1, -2, -4, -5, and -6 were isolated sporadically throughout the study period. In conclusion, a total of 13 different serotypes of HAdV were detected among Korean children with respiratory tract infections. HAdV-3 and HAdV-7 were the most common serotypes, and they were associated with HAdV outbreaks.