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Detection of human adenovirus F41 in wastewater and its relationship to clinical cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology.

Accepted version
Peer-reviewed

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Type

Article

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Authors

Reyne, Marina I 
Allen, Danielle M 
Levickas, Ashley 
Allingham, Pearce 
Lock, Jonathan 

Abstract

As of 8 July 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) have reported 1010 probable cases of acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology in children worldwide, including approximately 250 cases in the United Kingdom (UK). Clinical presentations have often been severe, with liver transplantation a frequent clinical outcome. Human adenovirus F41 (HAdV-F41) has been detected in most children with acute hepatitis, but its role in the pathogenesis of this infection has yet to be established. Wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) has become a well-established tool for monitoring the community spread of SARS-CoV-2, as well as other pathogens and chemicals. In this study, we adopted a WBE approach to monitoring levels of HAdV-F40/41 in wastewater before and during an acute hepatitis outbreak in Northern Ireland. We report increasing detection of HAdV-F40/41 in wastewater, concomitant with increasing numbers of clinical cases. Amplicon whole genome sequencing further classified the wastewater-derived HAdV as belonging to the F41 genotype which in turn was homologous to clinically derived sequences. We propose that WBE has the potential to inform community surveillance of HAdV-F41 and can further contribute to the ongoing global discussion supporting HAdV-F41 involvement in acute hepatitis cases.

Description

Keywords

Acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology, Human adenovirus F41, Wastewater, Wastewater-based epidemiology, Child, Humans, Wastewater, SARS-CoV-2, COVID-19, Adenoviruses, Human, Acute Disease, Hepatitis

Journal Title

Sci Total Environ

Conference Name

Journal ISSN

0048-9697
1879-1026

Volume Title

Publisher

Elsevier BV
Sponsorship
This study was funded as part of the Northern Ireland Wastewater Surveillance Programme, funded by the Department of Health for Northern Ireland.