ABSTRACT
This chapter provides state-of-the-art overviews on foodborne diseases caused by adenovirus in relation to their biology, epidemiology, pathogenesis, diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Adenoviruses are common and significant pathogens in humans, with a global distribution and a wide degree of genetic heterogeneity. Human adenoviruses (HAdVs) are classified in the family Adenoviridae, which is further divided into the genera Mastadenovirus, Aviadenovirus, Atadenovirus, Siadenovirus, and Icthadenovirus. The number of known HAdV types is steadily increasing. Homologous recombination and mutation are driving forces for the molecular evolution of human adenoviruses and can result in new viruses displaying different tissue tropisms and increased virulence. The life cycle of an adenovirus is divided into early and late phases, separated by the DNA replication process. The adenovirus infectious cycle starts with binding to cell surface receptors by the fiber distal domain. Adenoviruses are responsible for very common infections with worldwide distribution, but the exact prevalence and incidence of infections are unknown.
