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Although adenoviruses are a ubiquitous pathogen, most people are more familiar with the generalized, cold-like symptoms they cause than the name. Adenovirus infections tend to occur seasonally and typically, are not severe. However, like many respiratory infections, adenoviruses spread easily in crowded environments, which is why military barracks are uniquely susceptible to outbreaks, and as with any outbreak — the more cases that occur, the more likely some will be severe. 

Adenoviruses were identified serendipitously in the 1950s when Dr. Maurice Hilleman and his team were trying to isolate influenza virus. After collecting samples from sick recruits at Fort Leonard Wood, the scientists soon realized they had a new, previously undiscovered virus – adenovirus. As with most disease research, the scientists didn’t stop there. They studied adenoviruses to identify the different types and to determine which were most capable of causing severe illness. Next came the work of determining the best approach for developing a vaccine to protect the troops. The vaccine offered excellent protection, but that was far from the end of the story… 

Check out the Forgetting to Remember – Lessons From a Vaccine Lost film and related article to learn more about: 

• The discovery of the virus
• Characteristics of adenoviruses, including which types cause the most severe disease
• How a vaccine was developed and refined over time
• What happened when the vaccine was discontinued
• What the adenovirus vaccine story can tell us about vaccines today
• The use of adenoviruses as viral vectors in biotechnology applications today