title: Genetic and antigenic variability of human respiratory syncytial virus (groups a and b) isolated over seven consecutive seasons in Argentina (1995 to 2001).
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Virología Clínica, Centro de Educacion Médica e Investigaciones Clínicas, CEMIC, Hospiatal Universitario, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
authors.forename: Monica C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Galiano
authors.forename: Concepcion
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Palomo
authors.forename: Cristina M
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Videla
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Arbiza
authors.forename: José A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Melero
authors.forename: Guadalupe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Carballal
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral