Background: Role of adenoviruses in non-gonococcal urethritis (NGU) has been reported in only a few studies. The aim of the study was to detect and type adenoviruses in men presenting with NGU.
Methods: 636 heterosexual and homosexual men presenting with NGU from Melbourne, Australia were recently evaluated for various aetiological organisms including adenovirus. We utilised methods including polymerase chain reaction for detection followed by sequence analysis to type positive samples.
Results: Overall, 12 samples from patients with NGU had adenovirus detected. Five types were identified: type 4 (subgenus E), type 35 (subgenus B), and types 9, 37 and 49 (subgenus D). The presence of mixed adenovirus strains was not detected in any sample.
Conclusion: Overall, subgenus B, D and E were predominant in this patient population.