Epidemiology of human adenovirus and molecular characterization of human adenovirus 55 in China, 2009–2012

Lu, Qing-Bin; Tong, Yi-Gang; Wo, Ying; Wang, Hong-Yu; Liu, En-Mei; Gray, Gregory C; Liu, Wei; Cao, Wu-Chun

For phylogenetic tree of the whole genome, the closest genetic relationship was found between the 2012 Chongqing strain (CQ-2903) and the 2006 Shaanxi strain (QS-DLL). The reason of this close relationship needs to be illustrated. A possible explanation is that all these HAdV-55 strains are derived from different lineages of a common ancestor. Data from the phylogenetic tree and molecular clock analysis suggest HAdV-55 evolved with a certain evolution rate and geographic subdivision occurred during the last 35 years, as well as Chongqing HAdV-55 strains were accumulating mutations at a certain speed from 2010 to 2012. Further molecular investigation based on HAdV-55 of wider origin might facilitate to understand its dissemination and transmission in China.