title: Genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus over four consecutive seasons in South Africa: identification of new subgroup A and B genotypes.
abstract: The molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) was studied over four consecutive seasons (1997-2000) in a single tertiary hospital in South Africa: 225 isolates were subgrouped by RT-PCR and the resulting products sequenced. Subgroup A predominated in two seasons, while A and B co-circulated approximately equally in the other seasons. The nucleotide sequences of the C-terminal of the G-protein were compared to sequences representative of previously defined RSV genotypes. South African subgroup A and subgroup B isolates clustered into four and five genotypes respectively. One new subgroup A and three new subgroup B genotypes were identified. Different genotypes co-circulated in every season. Different circulation patterns were identified for group A and B isolates. Subgroup A revealed more variability and displacement of genotypes while subgroup B remained more consistent.
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Virology, Private bag X4, 2131 Sandringham, South Africa1.
authors.forename: Marietjie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Venter
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa2.
authors.forename: Shabir A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Madhi
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Virology, Private bag X4, 2131 Sandringham, South Africa1.
authors.forename: Caroline T
authors.initials: CT
authors.lastname: Tiemessen
authors.affiliation: National Institute for Virology, Private bag X4, 2131 Sandringham, South Africa1.
authors.forename: Barry D
authors.initials: BD
authors.lastname: Schoub
mesh_terms: D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics; D012621:Seasons; D013019:South Africa