Genetic and antigenic variability of human respiratory syncytial virus (groups a and b) isolated over seven consecutive seasons in Argentina (1995 to 2001).
The genetic and antigenic variability of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) strains isolated in Buenos Aires from 1995 to 2001 was evaluated by partial nucleotide sequencing of the G gene and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay analysis with anti-G monoclonal antibodies. Phylogenetic analyses showed that 37 group A strains clustered into five genotypes, whereas 20 group B strains clustered into three genotypes. Group A showed more genetic variability than group B. A close correlation between genotypes and antigenic patterns was observed. Changes detected in the G protein of viruses from both groups included (i) amino acid substitutions and(ii) differences in protein length due to either changes in stop codon usage or sequence duplications. Three B strains from 1999 exhibited a duplication of 20 amino acids, while one B strain from 2001 had 2 amino acids duplicated. The comparison among Argentinean HRSV strains and viruses isolated in other geographical areas during different epidemics is discussed.
Galiano
Monica C
MC
Laboratorio de Virología Clínica, Centro de Educacion Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas, CEMIC, Hospiatal Universitario, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Palomo
Concepcion
C
Videla
Cristina M
CM
Arbiza
Juan
J
Melero
José A
JA
Carballal
Guadalupe
G
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000097:blood*; D001118:Argentina; D001483:Base Sequence; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002675:Child, Preschool; D017931:DNA Primers; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction / Q000379:methods
D000956:Antigens, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral