Summary auto-generated
This study evaluated restriction endonuclease analysis for typing adenovirus isolates from ocular infections in a clinical laboratory. Over a three-year period (1984-1987), 52 patients with conjunctivitis or keratoconjunctivitis at 11 Veterans Administration facilities were studied. Adenovirus type 8 (Ad-8) was the predominant cause, responsible for 81% of cases. Notably, 22 of 42 Ad-8 isolates showed variant patterns, including two previously unreported Ad-8 variants (Ad-8v1 and Ad-8v2). Ad-8v1 was isolated from multiple geographic locations in 1986 and was as frequent as the prototype Ad-8 strain. Restriction endonuclease digestion with HindIII was initially used for screening, with BamHI and SmaI digestion performed for isolates that could not be definitively typed. Some variants required serum neutralization testing for confirmation. The study identified Ad-8, Ad-3, Ad-4, Ad-19, and Ad-37, with Ad-3 being the second most common type. While restriction endonuclease analysis proved useful for epidemiological studies, the emergence of new variants and the need for multiple enzyme digests and neutralization testing suggested that serum neutralization with selected antisera may be more practical for routine diagnostic virology laboratories.
Key findings
- Adenovirus type 8 caused 81% of ocular infections, including the prototype strain and two previously unreported variants (Ad-8v1 and Ad-8v2)
- Ad-8v1 was isolated from five cities across three states in 1986 and was equally prevalent to the prototype Ad-8 strain
- Restriction endonuclease analysis with HindIII provided satisfactory initial screening, but 22 of 42 Ad-8 isolates required additional BamHI and SmaI digestion or serum neutralization testing for definitive typing
- The emergence of adenovirus variants limits the practical utility of restriction endonuclease analysis for routine diagnostic use compared to serum neutralization testing
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Abstract
Adenovirus isolates from 52 patients with ocular infection over a 3-year period were typed by restriction endonuclease analysis in a clinical laboratory. The results indicated that adenovirus type 8 was the most common cause of adenovirus eye infection during this period, being responsible for 42 (81%) of the 52 cases. Of 42 adenovirus type 8 isolates, 22 showed variant patterns by restriction endonuclease analysis and required multiple enzyme digests for identification. These isolates were readily identified by neutralisation tests.