Seroprevalence of neutralizing antibodies to human adenoviruses type-5 and type-26 and chimpanzee adenovirus type-68 in healthy Chinese adults

Replication-defective adenoviruses have been utilized as candidate vaccine vectors. However, clinical application of the best-studied human adenovirus type-5 (AdHu5) is limited by the high prevalence of preexisting neutralizing antibodies resulting from natural infection. Therefore, rare adenovirus serotypes, such as human adenovirus type-26 (AdHu26) and chimpanzee adenovirus type-68 (AdC68), have been employed as substitutes for AdHu5. However, few studies have described the epidemiology of pre-existing immunity to these adenoviruses in China. Thus, 1,154 participants from six regions in China were examined to assess the presence of neutralizing antibodies against AdHu5, AdHu26, and AdC68. The seroprevalence rates of neutralizing antibodies were as follows: AdHu5, 73.1% (844/1,154) (95% confidence interval: 70.5-75.6%); AdHu26, 35.3% (407/1,154) (95% confidence interval: 32.6-38.1%); and AdC68, 12.7% (147/1,154) (95% confidence interval: 10.9-14.8%), respectively. The most frequently detected and highest titer antibodies were specific for AdHu5. The results indicate that AdHu26 and AdC68 serve as more suitable vaccine vectors than AdHu5.