{
  "abstract": "BackgroundHuman Mastadenovirus B (HAdV-B) causes ocular and respiratory infections and is capable of causing outbreaks in healthcare settings. HAdV-B114, a recombinant genotype only formally recognised in 2023, has been reported predominantly from Germany, the USA, China and Japan; genomic data from UK clinical settings remain limited. This study analysed 68 HAdV-B whole genomes from ocular and respiratory-associated samples collected at a Nottingham hospital across the pre- and post-COVID-19 restriction periods (2017-2023).\n\nMethodsClinical samples typed positive for HAdV-B by partial hexon Sanger sequencing were selected for whole-genome sequencing using a novel overlapping PCR amplicon strategy, sequenced on the Oxford Nanopore Technologies PromethION platform. Phylogenetic and pairwise difference analyses were used to characterise genotype composition and genomic relatedness. SimPlot and amino-acid comparison characterised divergence between sub-lineages.\n\nResultsWhole-genome phylogenetics confirmed that two species B genotypes were detected in Nottingham University Hospitals between 2017-23: HAdV-B114 (n=56) and HAdV-B7 (n=12). HAdV-B114 was detected before and after COVID-19 restrictions, with an increase in 2022-2023, consistent with post-restriction expansion of a pre-existing lineage. Pairwise difference analysis identified 24 genomically identical B114 sequences; associated metadata argued against a single nosocomial transmission chain interpretation, with the pattern more consistent with repeated detection of a widely circulating community strain, with the possibility of localised onward transmission. Within the B114 clade, multiple monophyletic groups were identified by whole-genome phylogenetics.\n\nConclusionsThis study adds whole-genome resolution to the existing UK HAdV-B114 data, demonstrates the utility of WGS for clinical adenovirus surveillance and shows the benefits of combining epidemiological data with genomic analysis.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "University of Cambridge"
  ],
  "article_type": "PUBLISHAHEADOFPRINT",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 9,
  "authors": [
    {
      "name": "P. J. McClure"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Muntean"
    },
    {
      "name": "E. Cifelli"
    },
    {
      "name": "O. J. Abiodun"
    },
    {
      "name": "M. Lister"
    },
    {
      "name": "A. Lambisia"
    },
    {
      "name": "J. Quick"
    },
    {
      "name": "S. Astbury"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "C. J. Houldcroft"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fnyg5rv0j74xm.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.64898/2026.09.22.26363659",
  "fulltext_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363659v1.full",
  "id": "fnyg5rv0j74xm",
  "issns": [],
  "landing_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363659v1",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC-ND",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "medrxiv",
      "infectious diseases"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "2713|Respiratory viral infections research"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7214112875",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363659v1.full.pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-09-22",
  "publisher": null,
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fnyg5rv0j74xm.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:19:17Z",
      "native_id": "10.64898/2026.09.22.26363659",
      "source": "medrxiv",
      "url": "https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.64898/2026.09.22.26363659v1"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "medrxiv:infectious diseases",
      "subfield": "infectious-disease"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Whole genome sequencing reveals a decade of human adenovirus B114 circulation in England",
  "title_text": "Whole genome sequencing reveals a decade of human adenovirus B114 circulation in England",
  "type": "preprint",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:19:17Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/fnyg5rv0j74xm",
  "venue": "medRxiv",
  "versions": []
}