title: Genetic variability of human metapneumo- and bocaviruses in children with respiratory tract infections.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The genotypic analysis of human metapneumo-(HMPV) and boca-(HBoV) viruses circulating in Greece and their comparison to reference and other clinical strains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Genetic analysis of representative strains over three consecutive winter seasons of the years 2005-2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  Representative positive specimens for HMPV and HBoV from paediatric patients of healthcare units and hospitals in Southern Greece with influenza-like illness or other respiratory tract infections.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seven to ten positive specimens for either HMPV or HBoV from each winter period. In total, 24 specimens positive for HMPV and 26 for HBoV, respectively.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sequence diversity of HMPV and HBoV strains by sequencing the complete G and VP1/VP2 genes, respectively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In total, 24 HMPV strains were found to have a 92-100% nucleotide and a 85.9-100% amino acid identity. Phylogenetic analysis based on the number of amino acid differences, revealed circulation of 4 different subclusters belonging to genetic lineage B2. Similarly, analysis of 26 HBoV strains indicated that 22 clustered within genotype St2, 2 into genotype St1 and the remaining 2 formed a third cluster derived from potential recombination between different St1 genotype strains. St2 HBoV genotype was observed throughout the whole observation period whereas St1 only during the second and the third winter period. Higher levels of heterogeneity were observed between HMPV compared to HBoV strains.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Phylogenetic analysis revealed circulation of one single lineage (B2) for HMPV viruses and predominance of St2 genotype for HBoV viruses. A possible recombination between St1 genotype strains of HBoV was observed.
authors.affiliation: National Influenza Reference Laboratory of Southern Greece, Hellenic Pasteur Institute, Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: Vasiliki
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Pogka
authors.forename: Afroditi
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moutousi
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kossyvakis
authors.forename: Antonios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kalliaropoulos
authors.forename: Dionyssios N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Sgouras
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Giannaki
authors.forename: Andreas F
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Mentis
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D016000:Cluster Analysis; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D056661:Human bocavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008297:Male; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D010322:Parvoviridae Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017385:Sequence Homology; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D004279:DNA, Viral; D012367:RNA, Viral; D015678:Viral Structural Proteins
keywords: Bocavirus; children; metapneumovirus; phylogenetic analysis; respiratory viruses