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Molecular detection and characterization through analysis of the hexon and fiber genes of Adenoviruses causing conjunctivitis in Tunisia, North Africa
Author(s) -
Fedaoui Nadia,
Ben Ayed Narjess,
Ben Yahia Ahlem,
Hammami Walid,
Matri Leila,
Nacef Leila,
Triki Henda
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
journal of medical virology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.782
H-Index - 121
eISSN - 1096-9071
pISSN - 0146-6615
DOI - 10.1002/jmv.24622
Subject(s) - biology , genotype , virology , genotyping , phylogenetic tree , molecular epidemiology , gene , polymerase chain reaction , genetics
Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are common causes of conjunctivitis. This study describes the epidemiological features and characterizes by phylogenetic analysis HAdVs isolated from patients with conjunctivitis in Tunisia, North Africa. Data on out‐patients presenting with conjunctivitis during 2 years (2012–2013) were analyzed. Conjunctival swabs obtained from 240 patients were assessed for the presence of HAdVs by PCR amplification on the fiber and hexon genes. Positive PCR products, together with those of nine viral isolates from previous years, were sequenced and analyzed phylogenetically. Conjunctivitis represented 11.5% of all reasons of consultations with a slight increase between mid‐March and mid‐June. Sixty‐five percent of samples (n = 156) revealed positive by at least one PCR test. PCR amplification in the hexon gene was slightly more sensitive as compared to the fiber gene. Genotyping in the two genomic regions gave concordant results for almost all isolates. HAdV‐D8 was the most predominant genotype (87.6%) and was detected continuously from 2000 to 2013. Minor co‐circulating genotypes including HAdV‐E4, HAdV‐B3, HAdV‐B55, and HAdV‐D37 were identified; most of them were detected by amplification in the hexon gene. In conclusion, this work reports molecular data on adenoviral conjunctivitis from a region where such information is scarce and contributes to a better knowledge of the worldwide distribution of causative genotypes. It revealed a predominance and endemic circulation of HAdV‐D8, a genotype that was mainly reported from epidemic keratoconjunctivitis. It shows that PCR amplification in two different genomic regions enhances the sensitivity of HAdV detection in clinical samples and the identification of minor genotypes. J. Med. Virol. 89:304–312, 2017 . © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.