Molecular characterization of chikungunya virus from Andhra Pradesh, India & phylogenetic relationship with Central African isolates.
OBJECTIVE
Chikungunya virus has caused numerous large outbreaks in India. Suspected blood samples from the epidemic were collected and characterized for the identification of the responsible causative from Rayalaseema region of Andhra Pradesh.


METHODS
RT-PCR was used for screening of suspected blood samples. Primers were designed to amplify partial E1 gene and the amplified fragment was cloned and sequenced. The sequence was analyzed and compared with other geographical isolates to find the phylogenetic relationship.


RESULTS
The sequence was submitted to the Gen bank DNA database (accession DQ888620). Comparative nucleotide homology analysis of the AP Ra-CTR isolate with the other isolates revealed 94.7+/-3.6 per cent of homology of CHIKAPRa-CTR with other isolates of Chikungunya virus at nucleotide level and 96.8+/-3.2 per cent of homology at amino acid level.


CONCLUSIONS
The current epidemic was caused by the Central African genotype of CHIKV, grouped in Central Africa cluster in phylogenetic trees generated based on nucleotide and amino acid sequences.
M Naresh Kumar
C V
CV
Department of Virology, Sri Venkateswara University, Tirupati, India.
Anthony Johnson
A M
AM
R Sai Gopal
D V
DV
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000350:Africa, Central; D000368:Aged; D018354:Alphavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D001483:Base Sequence; D002646:Chikungunya virus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D017931:DNA Primers / Q000235:genetics; D004196:Disease Outbreaks; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics
D017931:DNA Primers; D012367:RNA, Viral