title: A novel varicella-zoster virus gE mutation discovered in two Swedish isolates.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Two VZV glycoprotein E (gE D150N) mutant strains were collected in North America in 1995 and in 1999. We now report a novel VZV gE mutant virus discovered in Europe in two VZV strains collected in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1990 and 1999.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To characterize the two isolates identified among a total of 634 VZV isolates collected over a 15-year period at the Karolinska University Hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  VZV genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and their sequences were compared to the genomic sequence of VZV-Dumas prototype strain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A mutation within the gE gene in an epitope recognized by the 3B3 monoclonal antibody was identified in both isolates. A different residue was changed (R152S) compared to the North American strains (D150N).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The occurrence of a VZV gE mutant virus is unusual, but probably a recurring event in Europe and North America. It is unknown whether widespread varicella vaccination programs will alter the rate at which these mutant viruses are isolated.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Microbiology, Karolinska University Hospital, L2:02, SE-171 76 Stockholm, Sweden. benita.zweygberg-wirgart@karolinska.se
authors.forename: Benita Zweygberg
authors.initials: BZ
authors.lastname: Wirgart
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Estrada
authors.forename: Wallen
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Jackson
authors.forename: Annika
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Linde
authors.forename: Charles
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Grose
mesh_terms: D014645:Herpesvirus 3, Human / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D009154:Mutation; D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
chemical_list: D014759:Viral Envelope Proteins; C056913:glycoprotein E, varicella-zoster virus