New genome type of adenovirus serotype 19 causing nosocomial infections ofepidemic keratoconjunctivitis in Japan

Twelve strains of adenovirus serotype 19, isolated from cases of epidemic k eratoconjunctivitis in Japan in 1992, 1993, 1997, and 1998, were analyzed b y DNA restriction analysis, using restriction endonucleases BamHI, Bg/I, Bg /II, EcoRI, HindIII, KpnI, PstI, SaII, SaII, SmaI, and XhoI. Among these 11 restriction endonucleases, EcoRI, PstI, Sad, and SmaI were discriminative enzymes, showing restriction patterns different from those reported previou sly for the prototype and: the variant 19a. This new genome type was isolat ed in, 1997 and 1998, when an increase of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis cas es caused by adenovirus serotype 19 was observed for both sporadic and noso comial infections. Strains from 1992 and 1993 showed: restriction patterns similar to those of the worldwide reported variant 19a for all enzymes used . The changes detected in strains from 1997 and 1998 could be the reason fo r the recent epidemic. (C) 2001Wiley-Liss,Inc.