Deciphering an Adenovirus F41 Outbreak in Pediatric Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant Recipients by Whole-Genome Sequencing
Caroline Lefeuvre, Maud Salmona, Linda Feghoul, Noémie Ranger, Séverine Mercier‐Delarue, Laure Nizery, Aurélia Alimi, Jean‐Hugues Dalle, Jérôme LeGoff
Abstract
copies/ml. HAdV-F41 detection in plasma was observed in four patients, but no disseminated disease was reported. Two patients died, but neither death was attributed to HAdV. While sequencing limited to the fiber gene suggested a cluster with four patients, phylogenetic analysis with whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and HVR7 revealed a cluster that included three patients (C, D, and E), suggesting an interpatient transmission in that cluster and two other independent infections. HAdV-F41 levels in stool specimens of pediatric HSCT patients are high and represent a risk of interpatient transmission. WGS helped to identify related cases. Prompt detection of HAdV in stool and control measures are warranted to limit any risk of nosocomial transmission.