title: Variability and recombination of clinical human cytomegalovirus strains from transplantation recipients.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: PRES Université de Bordeaux, Laboratoire de Virologie EA2968 and IFR66, 33076 Bordeaux, France. muriel.faure@u-bordeaux2.fr
authors.forename: Muriel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faure-Della Corte
authors.forename: Johan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Samot
authors.forename: Isabelle
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Garrigue
authors.forename: Noël
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Magnin
authors.forename: Sandrine
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Reigadas
authors.forename: Lionel
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Couzi
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Dromer
authors.forename: Jean-François
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Velly
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Déchanet-Merville
authors.forename: Hervé J A
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Fleury
authors.forename: Marie-Edith
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Lafon
mesh_terms: 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
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral