High pathogenicity of human adenovirus type 55 in adult males: a meta-analysis and phylogenetic study of HAdV-55 epidemics worldwide over the past six decades.
Wenjian Luo, Weimin Guo, Yiqiang Li et al.
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In 30 seconds
This systematic review and meta-analysis of 111 articles, combined with phylogenetic analysis of 87 complete genomes, examined HAdV-55 infections reported worldwide from 1965 to 2024. The review identified 15,245 cases, including 3,790 pneumonia cases (24.86%) and 33 fatalities (case fatality rate: 0.22%). Cases were concentrated among adults and males, and military recruits accounted for 79.06%. Asia accounted for 98.79% of cases, primarily in China. Genomic analysis identified four variants, with HAdV-55d dominant since 2006.
Key findings
- Among 15,245 cases, 3,790 were pneumonia cases (24.86%) and 33 were fatal (case fatality rate: 0.22%).
- Adults (95.39%) and males (97.61%) predominated; military recruits comprised 79.06% of cases (12,039/15,245).
- Asia accounted for 15,060 cases (98.79%), primarily in China (89.90%).
- Four genomic variants were identified; HAdV-55d has been the dominant circulating strain since 2006.
Why it matters
The review characterises the reported burden and epidemiology of HAdV-55, including its association with pneumonia and a concentration of cases among adult men and military recruits. Its geographic and genomic findings may help frame surveillance and research priorities, while the reported case fatality rate provides context for interpreting the pathogen’s clinical impact.
What to keep in mind
The findings derive from published reports and available GenBank genomes; the abstract does not establish that these sources capture all infections worldwide.