Genetic diversity and molecular epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus over four consecutive seasons in South Africa: identification of new subgroup A and B genotypes.
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.
Venter
Marietjie
M
National Institute for Virology, Private bag X4, 2131 Sandringham, South Africa1.
Madhi
Shabir A
SA
Pediatric Infectious Disease Research Unit, University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa2.
Tiemessen
Caroline T
CT
National Institute for Virology, Private bag X4, 2131 Sandringham, South Africa1.
Schoub
Barry D
BD
National Institute for Virology, Private bag X4, 2131 Sandringham, South Africa1.
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