Variability and recombination of clinical human cytomegalovirus strains from transplantation recipients.
BACKGROUND
Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is the first cause of viral infection in immunocompromised transplanted patients.


OBJECTIVE
Here, five HCMV genes were studied to investigate the existence of recombination events in clinical strains ex vivo.


METHODS
Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were conducted on 21 strains from 16 renal and 5 lung transplant recipients.


RESULTS
Nucleotidic polymorphism ranged from 6.6% (US3) to 12% (UL40), with a significant proportion of missense mutations (39-69%), some of which could have a functional impact. Analysis of the concatenated sequence (4804 nucleotides for each strain) evidenced two clusters of sequences presenting a reticulate topology suggestive of recombination events (SplitsTree). Phi-test pointed numerous phylogenetically conflicting signals indicating a high statistical probability of recombination. The subsequent bootscan analysis was consistent with these data.


CONCLUSIONS
These results reinforce the prominent role of recombination in HCMV evolutionary history and adaptation to its host.
Faure-Della Corte
Muriel
M
PRES Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Virologie EA2968 and IFR66, 33076 Bordeaux, France. muriel.faure@u-bordeaux2.fr
Samot
Johan
J
Garrigue
Isabelle
I
Magnin
Noël
N
Reigadas
Sandrine
S
Couzi
Lionel
L
Dromer
Claire
C
Velly
Jean-François
JF
Déchanet-Merville
Julie
J
Fleury
Hervé J A
HJ
Lafon
Marie-Edith
ME
D000220:Adaptation, Biological; D000328:Adult; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D003587:Cytomegalovirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D003586:Cytomegalovirus Infections / Q000821:virology*; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D005260:Female; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D016867:Immunocompromised Host; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011995:Recombination, Genetic; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014180:Transplantation
D004279:DNA, Viral