Adenovirus type 7 (Ad7) was rarely isolated in Japan till 1994, but during April 1995 to August 1996, isolations of Ad7 were reported 230 cases. We isolated Ad7 in January and July 1996 in Fukuoka prefecture. We analyzed its genome type by using 14 restriction endonuclease and studied seroepidemiology of Ad7 infection in Fukuoka prefecture.
Isolated Ad7 strains were identical by 14 restriction endonuclease. Between new Ad7 isolates and prototype (Gomen; Ad7p), 4 restriction endonuclease patterns were identical but 10 restriction endonuclease patterns were different. From the result of restriction endonuclease pattern analysis, genome type of Ad7 isolated in Fukuoka may be the same to Ad7c reported by Noda et al.(1996). The alterations in the cleavage sites of 10 restriction endonucleases between new Ad7 isolates and Ad7p were revealed at least 12 sites.
Ad7 antibody positive rates in serum specimens collected in Fukuoka Prefecture were 3.6% in 1994 and 9.7% in 1996.