Infectious human adenoviruses are shed in urine even after disappearance of urethral symptoms

Abstract

Background Urethritis is a common sexually transmitted disease, and human adenoviruses (HAdVs) have been found to be associated with nonchlamydial nongonococcal urethritis. However, the level and viability of HAdV in the urine of patients with urethritis remain unclear. Methods Male patients with urethritis and an asymptomatic group were screened using their First-void urine (FVU) for urethritis-related pathogens to identify those with HAdV DNA. FVU and gargle fluid were collected from all patients including from those in the asymptomatic group. A swab of eye discharge was also collected from patients with eye symptoms. The pharyngeal and/ or ocular fluid was also screened only in cases in which FVU was positive for HAdV DNA. HAdVs were isolated using A549 cell lines and typed by sequencing, and viral shedding during 2 years was quantified using real-time PCR. The prevalence of HAdV was assessed in the urethritis and asymptomatic groups, and viral load, isolated HAdV types, and urethral symptoms were compared between the groups. Results The positive detection rate of HAdV DNA was significantly higher in the urethritis group than in the asymptomatic group. Of 398 patients with urethritis, HAdV was isolated in all 32 cases (23 cases in which only HAdV DNA was detected with a mean of 2 × 10 9 copies/mL in urine samples). Of 124 control cases, one had HAdV monoinfection. The most frequently detected HAdV type was 56, followed by types 37 and 64. Regarding the relationship between symptoms and isolated HAdVs, the virus was isolated for up to 12 days after urethritis symptoms disappeared. Conclusions HAdVs were significantly detected and isolated from the FVU of patients with urethritis. Furthermore, high levels of infectious HAdVs are excreted in urine for a long period even after urethritis symptoms disappear.

Sialic Acid-Containing Glycans as Cellular Receptors for Ocular Human Adenoviruses: Implications for Tropism and Treatment

“…A limited number of species D HAdVs cause a more severe ocular infection, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), which is usually restricted to the eye [3]. However, recently several EKC-causing HAdVs have also been detected in patients with urethritis [10]. Additionally, there are cases of mild forms of EKC caused by HAdV-E4 [3,4].…”

Sensitivity of Human Mastadenovirus, the Causal Agent of Pharyngoconjunctival Fever, Epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis, and Hemorrhagic Cystitis in Immunocompromised Individuals, to Brincidofovir

“…CDV was used as an antiadenoviral reagent and served as a positive control, whereas reagent-free wells were used as negative controls. Virus titers were determined via real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR), as described previously ( 7 ). Briefly, A549 cells were seeded in 96-well plates and grown to confluence.…”

“…The cell pellet along with 200 μL of supernatant was collected, and DNA was extracted using the High Pure viral nucleic acid kit (Roche) according to the manufacturer’s instructions. To calculate the IC 50 values for BCV and CDV for virus growth, virus copy numbers were determined via qPCR ( 7 ). Copy numbers were normalized by setting the negative-control values to 100%.…”

Genomic foundations of evolution and ocular pathogenesis in human adenovirus species D

“…The illness appears flu‐like with symptoms of pneumonia, croup, and bronchitis. HAdV‐B, E, and several EKC viruses within HAdV‐D also cause self‐limited urinary tract infections, presenting as painful passage of blood‐stained urine . HAdV‐F causes gastroenteritis, with severe diarrhea, vomiting, and fever.…”