Genomic Expedition: Deciphering Human Adenovirus Strains from the 2023 Outbreak in West Bengal, India: Insights into Viral Evolution and Molecular Epidemiology

TL;DR

This study analyzes the genome of Human Adenovirus strains from an outbreak in West Bengal to understand their evolution and potential for severe illness.

Contribution

The study identifies a new recombinant strain of HAd-B1 and highlights its immune evasion and disease severity potential.

Findings

A recombinant strain merging HAd-B1 types 3 and 7 was identified as prevalent in the outbreak.

Genetic differences in VA-RNAs and the E3 region suggest enhanced immune evasion and prolonged host survival.

Whole-genome sequencing is emphasized as critical for understanding outbreak potential and illness severity.

Abstract

Understanding the genetic dynamics of circulating Human Adenovirus (HAdV) types is pivotal for effectively managing outbreaks and devising targeted interventions. During the West Bengal outbreak of 2022–2023, an investigation into the genetic characteristics and outbreak potential of circulating HAdV types was conducted. Twenty-four randomly selected samples underwent whole-genome sequencing. Analysis revealed a prevalent recombinant strain, merging type 3 and type 7 of human mastadenovirus B1 (HAd-B1) species, indicating the emergence of recent strains of species B in India. Furthermore, distinctions in VA-RNAs and the E3 region suggested that current circulating strains of human mastadenovirus B1 (HAd-B1) possess the capacity to evade host immunity, endure longer within hosts, and cause severe respiratory infections. This study underscores the significance of evaluating the complete genome sequence of HAdV isolates to glean insights into their outbreak potential and the severity of associated illnesses.

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