Genetic characterization of respiratory syncytial viruses isolated from consecutive acute respiratory infections in a HIV infected child.
BACKGROUND
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) was isolated from a 2-year-old child suffering from perinatally transmitted AIDS in the course of three distinct episodes of respiratory infections. The first episode occurred in the winter of 1994, the following two episodes of cough and fever occurred two and 4 months after the initial episode.


OBJECTIVE
To analyze the genetic variability of the child's HRSV strains, and with contemporary circulating HRSV isolates.


RESULTS
The three child's HRSV isolates belonged to group B. Sequence analysis of the attachment (G) protein gene (which has the highest degree of antigenic and genetic diversity in HRSV), demonstrated no difference in the sequence obtained from the three isolates recovered from the child. Comparison of the child's HRSV strain with contemporary circulating group B HRSV isolates showed a close sequence similarity with one of them.


CONCLUSIONS
The immunodeficiency in an HIV-positive child may have resulted in the recurrent isolation of one HRSV strain. Although it cannot be discarded the possibility that the recurrent episodes might be re-infections, it is unlikely in view of the lack of change in the HRSV glycoprotein G. This is the first study that analyzes the genetic variation in HRSV isolates from consecutive respiratory disease episodes in an immunosuppressed patient.
Arbiza
Juan
J
Sección Virología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de la República, Igua 4225, CP 11400 Montevideo-Uruguay, Uruguay. jarbiza@fcien.edu.uy
Berois
Mabel
M
Delfraro
Adriana
A
Frabasile
Sandra
S
Mitoma
Francisco Díaz
FD
Milk
Rose
R
Russi
José C
JC
D000208:Acute Disease; D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D002675:Child, Preschool; D014644:Genetic Variation; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018357:Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D018113:Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000821:virology; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics
D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C116204:attachment protein G