Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Human Adenovirus in Patients with Keratoconjunctivitis in Iraq
Year: 2025
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: The objective of this study was to detect and genotype human adenovirus strains in patients suffering from keratoconjunctivitis in Iraq. Additionally, it aimed to understand the distribution and prevalence of different adenovirus types associated with the disease in this population. Seventy conjunctival swabs and whole blood samples were collected from patients with suspected HAdV infection. Viral DNA extracted and Conventional PCR was used to amplify the hexon gene, and the PCR products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using NCBI-BLAST and MEGA X to compare local isolates with global strains. of the 70 samples, 64 (91.4%) were positive for HAdV, with viral loads ranging from 1.32 × 10³ to 6.62 × 10⁸ copies/mL. Genotyping revealed three predominant genotypes: HAdV-8 (50%), HAdV-54 (40%), and HAdV-19 (10%). Phylogenetic analysis showed high similarity with global strains, with sequence identities ranging from 99.04% to 99.62%. Males and individuals aged 20–40 years were more frequently affected, with higher infection rates observed in urban areas. No significant correlation was found between viral load and demographic factors or clinical severity. This study highlights the predominance of HAdV-8, HAdV-54, and HAdV-19 in Iraqi patients with keratoconjunctivitis. The findings underscore the need for continuous surveillance and molecular characterization of HAdV strains to inform public health interventions and prevent outbreaks.
DOI: 10.14419/4z8aa229
Institutions: University of Babylon, Ministry of Health
Language: English
Subfield: Ophthalmology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W4414967219
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