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Review
. 2020 Oct;33(5):398-403.
doi: 10.1097/QCO.0000000000000663.

Pediatric acute gastroenteritis associated with adenovirus 40/41 in low-income and middle-income countries

Benjamin Lee  1 , Christina F Damon  2 , James A Platts-Mills  3
Affiliations
Review

Pediatric acute gastroenteritis associated with adenovirus 40/41 in low-income and middle-income countries

Benjamin Lee et al. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2020 Oct.

Abstract

Purpose of review: To review the roles of enteric adenovirus types 40 and 41 and nonenteric adenoviruses in the global burden of pediatric diarrhea.

Recent findings: Large studies using highly sensitive, type-specific molecular diagnostics have demonstrated a substantial and previously under-estimated burden of pediatric diarrheal disease because of enteric infections with adenovirus types 40/41. However, the true epidemiology of adenovirus 40/41 remains incompletely understood. Similarly, additional adenovirus types may also be implicated as agents of community-acquired pediatric gastroenteritis but current data are too limited to elucidate their epidemiological role(s), if any.

Summary: Efforts at global diarrhea control in low-income and middle-income countries will require combating pediatric gastroenteritis because of enteric adenovirus infections. Future research in these settings using type-specific molecular diagnostics or strain genotyping to fully characterize the epidemiology of adenovirus 40/41 infections, identify non-40/41 adenoviruses significantly associated with gastroenteritis, and develop vaccines effective at preventing adenovirus diarrhea is warranted.

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Conflict of interest statement

3. Conflicts of interest: None

References

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