Adenoviridae

Article By:

Melnick, Joseph L. Department of Virology and Epidemiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.

Reichmann, M. E. Department of Microbiology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, Urbana, Illinois.

Last reviewed:October 2019

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.010800

A family of double-stranded DNA viruses, collectively known as adenoviruses, which are icosahedrally symmetric, usually found in the respiratory tract of the host species, and often associated with respiratory diseases. Members of the Adenoviridae family (adenoviruses) have been associated with pharyngoconjunctival fever (types 3 and 7, in particular), acute respiratory disease (ARD) [types 4 and 7, in particular], epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (types 8, 19, and 37, in particular), and febrile pharyngitis in children (types 1, 2, and 5, in particular). A number of types have been isolated from tonsils and adenoids that were removed from surgical patients. Although most of the illnesses caused by adenoviruses are respiratory, adenoviruses are excreted frequently in stools, and certain adenoviruses have been isolated from sewage. Distinct mammalian serotypes (genus Mastadenovirus) and avian serotypes (genus Aviadenovirus) are known. See also: Animal virus; Eye disorders; Respiratory system disorders; Tonsillitis; Virus; Virus classification

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