Genetic diversity of human adenovirus and human astrovirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Northwest Ethiopia

Human adenovirus (HAdV) and human astrovirus (HAstV) are common causes of gastroenteritis. Data on the prevalence and diversity of enteric viruses are important for control and preventive measures. However, epidemiological information regarding HAdV and HAstV infections in Ethiopia are limited. Fecal specimens were collected from 450 outpatient diarrheic infants and young children in Gondar and Bahir Dar from November 2015 to April 2016. Socio-demographic information was recorded. All fecal specimens were screened for the presence of HAdV and classical HAstV using PCR. Genotyping was performed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Human HAdV and HAstV were detected in 144 (32%) and 16 (3.6%) of the children, respectively. Overall, 182 different adenovirus genotypes were detected, including mixed infections. Species F adenoviruses (HAdV-40, HAdV-41) were less common than other adenoviruses (HAdV-1, -2, -3, -5,-12, -16, -31, species D types) with a frequency of 32 versus 150, respectively. The HAstV genotypes were classified as HAstV-8 (n = 10), HAstV-1 (n = 3), HAstV-2 (n = 3), and HAstV-3 (n = 1). HAstV was detected only in Gondar. Thirty-eight coinfections HAdV and one HAstV coinfections were detected. There was no significant difference in the detection rate of HAdV and HAstV between boys and girls. The detection rates also did not differ between children from rural and urban areas. Children under 6 months of age, were less often infected with both viruses. These findings suggest that HAdV and HAstV are common in children with diarrhea in Ethiopia.