Molecular Epidemiology of Adenovirus in East Anglia (MEADEA)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Investigating the molecular epidemiology of adenovirus in East Anglia through whole-genome sequencing and serology, with stored residual diagnostic samples
IRAS ID
314745
Contact name
Charlotte Houldcroft
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Cambridge UH NHS FT and University of Cambridge
Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier
A096588, MEADEA
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 6 months, 1 days
Research summary
Adenoviruses cause symptoms from coughs and colds to eye infections and diarrhoea. While infections are frequent in children and adults, sometimes the disease caused can be severe: for example, hepatitis in previously healthy children or severe respiratory infections in adults of all ages. There are many strains (genotypes) of adenovirus, which help this family of viruses evade our immune system, including antibodies and T cells. Adenoviruses can also survive in the environment for days, and have been less successfully suppressed by social distancing over the last two years than many other viruses.
In this project, I will look the role of genetic diversity and antibody-based immunity in adenovirus disease. the first part of the project will involve sequencing the genetic code of adenoviruses collected before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. This will tell us whether adenovirus diversity has been affected by changing human behaviour during the pandemic, and what genotypes are present in the UK. Different genotypes cause distinct kinds of disease, and some are more likely to cause severe respiratory symptoms than others.
Secondly, I will measure immunity to adenoviruses currently found in the UK. Antibody responses in patients with a positive adenovirus test result will be measured using leftover residual diagnostic serum, collected as part of standard care. This will tell us whether adults who have a positive test result have immunity antibodies to adenovirus before and/or after a positive test result, and whether the presence, absence or level of antibodies detected correlates with the adenovirus genotype which caused the patient's disease.REC name
North East - Tyne & Wear South Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
23/NE/0180
Date of REC Opinion
18 Sep 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion