Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Human Adenovirus in Patients ‎with Keratoconjunctivitis in Iraq

  • Authors

    • Ziyad Kamel Al-Jenabi College of Medicine/ University of Babylon, Iraq
    • Adil Abdulhamza Mohammed Akraa Al Garaawi Private Hospital / Ministry of Health, Iraq
    https://doi.org/10.14419/4z8aa229

    Received date: June 11, 2025

    Accepted date: June 22, 2025

    Published date: October 7, 2025

  • Human Adenovirus; Keratoconjunctivitis; Real-time PCR; Genotyping; Phylogenetic Analysis; Iraq

  • Abstract

    The objective of this study was to detect and genotype human adenovirus strains in patients suffering from ‎keratoconjunctivitis in Iraq. Additionally, it aimed to understand the distribution and prevalence of different ‎adenovirus types associated with the disease in this population.‎

    Seventy conjunctival swabs and whole blood samples were collected from patients with suspected HAdV ‎infection. Viral DNA extracted and Conventional PCR was used to amplify the hexon gene, and the PCR ‎products were sequenced. Phylogenetic analysis was conducted using NCBI-BLAST and MEGA X to ‎compare local isolates with global strains.‎

    of the 70 samples, 64 (91.4%) were positive for HAdV, with viral loads ranging from 1.32 × 10³ to 6.62 × 10⁸ ‎copies/mL. Genotyping revealed three predominant genotypes: HAdV-8 (50%), HAdV-54 (40%), and HAdV-‎‎19 (10%). Phylogenetic analysis showed high similarity with global strains, with sequence identities ranging ‎from 99.04% to 99.62%. Males and individuals aged 20–40 years were more frequently affected, with higher ‎infection rates observed in urban areas. No significant correlation was found between viral load and ‎demographic factors or clinical severity.‎

    This study highlights the predominance of HAdV-8, HAdV-54, and HAdV-19 in Iraqi patients with ‎keratoconjunctivitis. The findings underscore the need for continuous surveillance and molecular ‎characterization of HAdV strains to inform public health interventions and prevent outbreaks‎.

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  • How to Cite

    Al-Jenabi , Z. K. ., & Akraa , A. A. M. . (2025). Molecular Detection and Genotyping of Human Adenovirus in Patients ‎with Keratoconjunctivitis in Iraq. International Journal of Basic and Applied Sciences, 14(6), 107-114. https://doi.org/10.14419/4z8aa229