Genetic diversity, seasonality and transmission network of human metapneumovirus: identification of a unique sub-lineage of the fusion and attachment genes.
Human metapneumovirus (HMPV) is an important viral respiratory pathogen worldwide. Current knowledge regarding the genetic diversity, seasonality and transmission dynamics of HMPV among adults and children living in tropical climate remains limited. HMPV prevailed at 2.2% (n = 86/3,935) among individuals presented with acute respiratory tract infections in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between 2012 and 2014. Seasonal peaks were observed during the northeast monsoon season (November-April) and correlated with higher relative humidity and number of rainy days (P < 0.05). Phylogenetic analysis of the fusion and attachment genes identified the co-circulation of three known HMPV sub-lineages, A2b and B1 (30.2% each, 26/86) and B2 (20.9%, 18/86), with genotype shift from sub-lineage B1 to A2b observed in 2013. Interestingly, a previously unrecognized sub-lineage of A2 was identified in 18.6% (16/86) of the population. Using a custom script for network construction based on the TN93 pairwise genetic distance, we identified up to nine HMPV transmission clusters circulating as multiple sub-epidemics. Although no apparent major outbreak was observed, the increased frequency of transmission clusters (dyads) during seasonal peaks suggests the potential roles of transmission clusters in driving the spread of HMPV. Our findings provide essential information for therapeutic research, prevention strategies, and disease outbreak monitoring of HMPV.
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Wei Zhen
WZ
Chow
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yoke Fun
YF
Chan
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Xiang Yong
XY
Oong
Faculty of Information Science &Technology, Multimedia University, Melaka, Malaysia.
Liang Jie
LJ
Ng
Tropical Infectious Diseases Research &Education Centre (TIDREC), Deputy Vice Chancellor (Research &Innovation), University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Siti Sarah
SS
Nor'E
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kim Tien
KT
Ng
Division of Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kok Gan
KG
Chan
Department of Primary Care Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Nik Sherina
NS
Hanafi
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Yong Kek
YK
Pang
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Adeeba
A
Kamarulzaman
Department of Medical Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Kok Keng
KK
Tee
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D014644:Genetic Variation; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D029121:Metapneumovirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D008875:Middle Aged; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000821:virology; D018184:Paramyxoviridae Infections / Q000635:transmission*; D010802:Phylogeny; D012141:Respiratory Tract Infections / Q000821:virology*; D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D055815:Young Adult
D014760:Viral Fusion Proteins