title: Molecular epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics of Echovirus 3 serotype.
abstract: Echovirus 3 (E3) serotype has been related with several neurologic diseases, although it constitutes one of the rarely isolated serotypes, with no report of epidemics in Europe. The aim of the present study was to provide insights into the molecular epidemiology and evolution of this enterovirus serotype, while an E3 strain was isolated from sewage in Greece, four years after the initial isolation of the only reported E3 strain in the same geographical region. Phylogenetic analysis of the complete VP1 genomic region of that E3 strain and of those available in GenBank suggested three main genogroups that were further subdivided into seven subgenogroups. Further evolutionary analysis suggested that VP1 genomic region of E3 was dominated by purifying selection, as the vast majority of genetic diversity presumably occurred through synonymous nucleotide substitutions and the substitution rate for complete and partial VP1 sequences was calculated to be 8.13×10(-3) and 7.72×10(-3) substitutions/site/year respectively. The partial VP1 sequence analysis revealed the composite epidemiology of this serotype, as the strains of the three genogroups presented different epidemiological characteristics.
authors: Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26, Ploutonos & Aeolou str., Larissa 41 221, Greece. Electronic address: zaxkyr@med.uth.gr.
authors: Zaharoula
authors: Z
authors: Kyriakopoulou
authors: Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26, Ploutonos & Aeolou str., Larissa 41 221, Greece.
authors: Magda
authors: M
authors: Bletsa
authors: Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26, Ploutonos & Aeolou str., Larissa 41 221, Greece.
authors: Dimitris
authors: D
authors: Tsakogiannis
authors: Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26, Ploutonos & Aeolou str., Larissa 41 221, Greece.
authors: Tilemachos G
authors: TG
authors: Dimitriou
authors: Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26, Ploutonos & Aeolou str., Larissa 41 221, Greece.
authors: Grigoris D
authors: GD
authors: Amoutzias
authors: University of Ioannina, Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: Constantina
authors: C
authors: Gartzonika
authors: University of Ioannina, Medical School, Department of Microbiology, Ioannina, Greece.
authors: Stamatina
authors: S
authors: Levidiotou-Stefanou
authors: Department of Biochemistry & Biotechnology, University of Thessaly, 26, Ploutonos & Aeolou str., Larissa 41 221, Greece.
authors: Panayotis
authors: P
authors: Markoulatos
mesh_terms: D030541:Databases, Genetic; D004457:Echovirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004770:Enterovirus / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D005810:Multigene Family; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D065288:Serogroup
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral
keywords: Echovirus 3; Enteroviruses; Evolution; Molecular epidemiology; VP1