Human adenovirus 19 (HAdV-19)

Human adenovirus 19 (HAdV-19) is a non-enveloped, double-stranded DNA virus belonging to the species Human adenovirus D within the family Adenoviridae (ICTV, 2023). It is a primary causative agent of epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC), a severe and highly contagious ocular infection characterized by intense conjunctival inflammation and the development of corneal subepithelial infiltrates (NIH, 2022). The virus initiates infection by binding its fiber protein to host cell receptors, primarily sialic acid residues, which facilitates entry and subsequent replication within the host cell nucleus (Nature Medicine, 2011). While most adenovirus infections are self-limiting, HAdV-19 can cause significant morbidity and long-term visual impairment due to corneal scarring. There are currently no FDA-approved antivirals specifically indicated for HAdV-19, but the viral DNA polymerase is often targeted off-label by nucleoside analogs such as cidofovir (PubMed, 2020). Notably, many clinical isolates previously identified as HAdV-19 have been reclassified as HAdV-64, although the clinical presentation and therapeutic challenges remain identical (Journal of Clinical Microbiology, 2009).

Other names

Human adenovirus D19HAdV-D19Adenovirus type 19Adenovirus 19

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase by nucleoside analogs, which prevents the elongation of the viral DNA strand (PubMed, 2020); topical antiseptics like povidone-iodine provide non-specific oxidative destruction of viral capsids (NIH, 2022).