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Introduction:

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can infect humans and animals,
causing a wide range of illnesses from mild respiratory infections to
more severe conditions. They are named after the adenoids, where they
were first discovered, and they belong to the family Adenoviridae.

History Of Adenovirus

Adenoviruses were first discovered in the 1953 by Wallace Rowe and

his colleagous during investigations into acute respiratory diseases
among military recruits.
They were initially isolated from adenoid tissue, hence the name
"adenovirus". Since then, numerous types of adenoviruses have been
identified, known to cause a wide range of illnesses including respiratory
infections, conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and more.
Adenoviruses have been extensively studied both for their medical
importance and as vectors in gene therapy and vaccine development.

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Definition

Adenoviruses are a group of viruses that can infect humans and animals,
causing a wide range of illnesses. They belong to the family
Adenoviridae and are named after the adenoids, where they were first
discovered.
Adenoviruses are non-enveloped viruses with a double-stranded DNA
genome. They can cause respiratory infections,
conjunctivitis, gastroenteritis, and urinary tract infections. In severe
cases, adenovirus infections can lead to pneumonia, myocarditis,
hepatitis, and even death, particularly in immunocompromised
individuals or those with underlying health
conditions. Adenoviruses are highly contagious and can spread through
respiratory droplets, fecal-oral transmission, and contact with
contaminated surfaces.
There are over 50 different serotypes of human adenoviruses identified
so far, classified into seven species (A-G).

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StructureOfAdenovirus

Human Adenoviruses (HAdVs) are a family of clinically and

therapeutically relevant viruses. A precise understanding of their host
cell attachment and entry mechanisms can be applied in inhibitor design
and the construction of targeted gene delivery vectors. In this article,
structural data on adenovirus attachment and entry are reviewed. HAdVs
engage two types of receptors: first, an attachment receptor that is bound
by the fibre knob protein protruding from the icosahedral capsid, and
next, an integrin entry receptor bound by the pentameric penton base at
the capsid vertices. Adenoviruses use remarkably diverse attachment
receptors, five of which have been studied structurally in the context of
HAdV binding: Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor, CD46, the glycans
GD1a and polysialic acid, and desmoglein-2. Together with the integrin
entry receptors, they display both symmetrical and asymmetrical modes
of binding to the virus as demonstrated by the structural analyses
reviewed here. The diversity of HAdV receptors contributes to the broad

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tropism of these viruses, and structural studies are thus an important
source of information on HAdV-host cell interactions. The imbalance in
structural data between the more and less extensively studied receptors
remains to be addressed by future research.

Causes Of Adenovirus

Direct Contact: Adenoviruses spread through direct contact with an

infected person, such as touching surfaces contaminated with the virus
or being in close proximity to someone who is infected.

Respiratory Droplets: They can also spread through respiratory

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droplets when an infected person coughs or sneezes.

Fecal-Oral Route: Some adenovirus strains can spread through the

fecal-oral route, often due to poor hygiene practices or contaminated
food or water.

Contaminated Surfaces: Adenoviruses can survive on surfaces for an

extended period, leading to transmission through contact with
contaminated objects or surfaces.

Crowded Environments: Settings such as schools, daycare centers,

military barracks, and healthcare facilities where people are in close
contact can facilitate the spread of adenovirus infections.
Weakened Immune System: Individuals with weakened immune
systems, such as those with HIV/AIDS or undergoing chemotherapy,
are more susceptible to adenovirus infections.

Age: Infants and young children are particularly vulnerable to

adenovirus infections due to their developing immune systems.

Seasonal Factors: Adenovirus infections may show seasonal patterns,

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with outbreaks more common during certain times of the year, such as
late winter, spring, and early summer.

Preventive measures such as proper hand hygiene, vaccination (where

available), and avoiding close contact with infected individuals can help
reduce the risk of adenovirus infections.
Symptoms Of Adenovirus

Symptoms of adenovirus infection can vary depending on the specific

strain and the affected individual's age and overall health.
Common symptoms include:

Respiratory Symptoms:
These may include a sore throat,
cough, runny or stuffy nose, and
sneezing. Adenovirus infections can
sometimes lead to bronchitis or
pneumonia.

Fever: Fever is a common symptom of adenovirus infection and can

range from mild to high-grade.

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Conjunctivitis: Adenovirus can cause pink eye (conjunctivitis), which
is characterized by redness, itching, tearing, and discharge from the
eyes.

Gastrointestinal Symptoms: Some strains of adenovirus can cause

gastroenteritis, leading to symptoms such as diarrhea, nausea, vomiting,
and abdominal pain.

Urinary Symptoms: In some cases, adenovirus infection can lead to

urinary
symptoms such as urinary tract infection
(UTI) or cystitis.

Fatigue: Feeling tired or lethargic is common during adenovirus

infection, especially if fever is present.

Muscle Aches: Some individuals may experience muscle aches and joint
pain during adenovirus infection.

Swollen Lymph Nodes: Swollen lymph nodes in the neck or other areas

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of the body
may occur as the immune system responds to the infection.

Its essential to note that not everyone infected with adenovirus will
experience all of these symptoms, and the severity of symptoms can
vary widely. Additionally, some individuals, particularly children and
those with weakened immune systems, may experience more severe
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complications from adenovirus infection. If you suspect you or someone
else has adenovirus infection, it's essential to seek medical advice for
proper diagnosis and treatment.

Are Adenovirus Contagious

Adenovirus infections are highly contagious, with the virus capable of

spreading easily from person to person through various means.
Primarily, adenovirus transmission occurs through respiratory droplets
expelled when an infected individual coughs, sneezes, or talks. These
droplets can contain the virus, allowing it to be inhaled by others nearby.
Additionally, the virus can persist on surfaces for a significant period,
leading to transmission through direct contact with contaminated objects
or surfaces.

Moreover, adenovirus can also spread through the fecal-oral route,

particularly in settings where hygiene practices are inadequate. This
means that ingestion of food or water contaminated with adenovirus-
infected fecal matter can result in infection.

The contagiousness of adenovirus varies depending on factors such as

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the specific serotype of the virus and the health status of the infected
individual. Generally, individuals infected with adenovirus are most
contagious during the initial stages of illness when viral shedding is
highest.

However, even after symptoms start to subside, individuals can remain

contagious for an extended period, further complicating efforts to
control the spread of the virus.
Given the highly contagious nature of adenovirus, practicing good
hygiene is crucial in preventing its transmission. This includes frequent
handwashing with soap and water, especially after coughing, sneezing,
or touching potentially contaminated surfaces. Additionally, individuals
should avoid close contact with those who are infected and refrain from
sharing personal items such as towels or utensils.

In settings where adenovirus outbreaks occur, implementing infection

control measures such as isolation of infected individuals, disinfection of
surfaces, and promoting vaccination can help mitigate the spread of the
virus and protect vulnerable populations, particularly in healthcare
facilities, schools, and communal living environments.

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What’s the difference between adenovirus and a
coronavirus?

Adenoviruses and coronaviruses cause infections that share many

common symptoms, so it can be hard to tell the two apart. Both can be
transmitted through respiratory droplets or direct contact. Both can cause
severe respiratory tract infections But adenoviruses can linger longer
than coronaviruses because they’re more resistant to disinfectants.
Coronaviruses have an extra layer (envelope) that covers their protein
shell (capsid). The envelope is a membrane made up of lipids and
proteins that protect the virus when it’s outside of its host cell. The
images you’ve seen of the coronavirus have spike proteins coming out of
their envelopes.
Adenoviruses don’t have an extra envelope covering their capsid. The
absence of an envelope actually makes them more resistant to
disinfectants.
You’d think having an extra layer would help protect a virus. But it’s a
little more complicated than that. Coronaviruses (and other enveloped
viruses) have proteins that bind to their envelopes. When the envelopes
break down, they lose the proteins that made them infectious. This
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makes them less resistant to disinfectants. Adenoviruses (and other non-
enveloped viruses) bind their proteins directly to their capsids. The
capsids stay intact and are more resistant to disinfectants.
Is there an adenovirus vaccine?

No adenovirus vaccine is currently available to the general public. The

military uses a vaccine for certain types of the virus. Only military
personnel who are at a higher risk of infection receive the vaccine.
The FDA hasn't approved the vaccine for use outside the military.
The adenovirus vaccine contains a live
virus that can be shed in stool. That means it can be released from your
body. If transmitted, the virus can cause illness in other people.
Researchers haven't studied the safety and effectiveness of the vaccine in
the general population yet. They also haven't tested it on people with
weakened immune systems.

Treatment Of Adenoviruses

The treatment of adenovirus infections primarily focuses on managing

symptoms and providing supportive care, as there are no specific
antiviral medications available for routine use against adenovirus.
Here are some common approaches to managing adenovirus infections:

Rest and hydration: Adequate rest and hydration are essential to help

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the body fight off the infection and prevent dehydration, especially in
cases of fever and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Over-the-counter medications: Pain relievers such as acetaminophen

(Tylenol) or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) may help alleviate fever,
headaches, and muscle aches. However, aspirin should be avoided in
children and teenagers due to the risk of Reye's syndrome.

Symptom management: Over-the-counter remedies such as

decongestants, antihistamines, and cough suppressants can help alleviate
symptoms such as nasal congestion, runny nose, cough, and sore throat.
However, these medications should be used with caution, especially in
young children, and under the guidance of a healthcare provider.

Eye drops: For cases of adenovirus-related conjunctivitis (pink eye),

lubricating eye drops or antihistamine eye drops may help alleviate
discomfort and inflammation. It's important to avoid sharing towels,
pillows, or eye makeup to prevent further spread of the infection.

Antibiotics: Antibiotics are not effective against viral infections like

adenovirus. However, they may be prescribed if there is a secondary
bacterial infection present, such as bacterial pneumonia.

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Hospitalization and supportive care: In severe cases of adenovirus
infection, particularly in immunocompromised individuals or those with
underlying health conditions, hospitalization may be necessary for close
monitoring and supportive care. This may include intravenous fluids,
oxygen therapy, and other measures to manage complications.

Antiviral medications: In rare cases, certain antiviral medications may

be considered for severe adenovirus infections, especially in
immunocompromised individuals or during outbreaks in healthcare
settings. However, the effectiveness of antiviral therapy for adenovirus
is still under investigation, and these medications are not routinely
recommended.

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REFFERENCES

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23022-adenovirus

http://web.stanford.edu/group/virus/adeno/2004takahashi/webpage/
second.html

https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00430-019-00645-2

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/
adenovirus-vaccine

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