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Sondlane H, Ogunbayo A, Donato C, Mogotsi M, Esona M, Hallbauer U, Bester P, Goedhals D, Nyaga M. Whole genome molecular analysis of respiratory syncytial virus pre and during the COVID-19 pandemic in Free State province, South Africa. Virus Res 2024; 347:199421. [PMID: 38942296 PMCID: PMC11283024 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2024.199421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most predominant viral pathogen worldwide in children with lower respiratory tract infections. The Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and resulting nonpharmaceutical interventions perturbed the transmission pattern of respiratory pathogens in South Africa. A seasonality shift and RSV resurgence was observed in 2020 and 2021, with several infected children observed. Conventional RSV-positive nasopharyngeal swabs were collected from various hospitals in the Free State province, Bloemfontein, South Africa, from children suffering from respiratory distress and severe acute respiratory infection between 2020 to 2021. Overlapping genome fragments were amplified and complete genomes were sequenced using the Illumina MiSeq platform. Maximum likelihood phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis were performed on both RSV-A/-B G-genes with published reference sequences from GISAID and GenBank. Our study strains belonged to the RSV-A GA2.3.2 and RSV-B GB5.0.5a clades. The upsurge of RSV was due to pre-existing strains that predominated in South Africa and circulating globally also driving these off-season RSV outbreaks during the COVID-19 pandemic. The variants responsible for the resurgence were phylogenetically related to pre-pandemic strains and could have contributed to the immune debt resulting from pandemic imposed restrictions. The deviation of the RSV season from the usual pattern affected by the COVID-19 pandemic highlights the need for ongoing genomic surveillance and the identification of genetic variants to prevent unforeseen outbreaks in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hlengiwe Sondlane
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Ayodeji Ogunbayo
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Celeste Donato
- Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Parkville, VIC, Australia; Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia; The Centre for Pathogen Genomics, The Doherty Institute, University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Milton Mogotsi
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Mathew Esona
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Ute Hallbauer
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Phillip Bester
- Division of Virology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa
| | - Dominique Goedhals
- Division of Virology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa; PathCare, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Martin Nyaga
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
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Pierangeli A, Midulla F, Piralla A, Ferrari G, Nenna R, Pitrolo AMG, Licari A, Marseglia GL, Abruzzese D, Pellegrinelli L, Galli C, Binda S, Cereda D, Fracella M, Oliveto G, Campagna R, Petrarca L, Pariani E, Antonelli G, Baldanti F. Sequence analysis of respiratory syncytial virus cases reveals a novel subgroup -B strain circulating in north-central Italy after pandemic restrictions. J Clin Virol 2024; 173:105681. [PMID: 38733664 DOI: 10.1016/j.jcv.2024.105681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Following the pandemic restrictions, the epidemiology of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) has changed, leading to intense hospitalization peaks. OBJECTIVES This study, conducted at multiple sites in Italy, aimed to describe the temporal dynamics of two post-COVID-19 RSV epidemics. Additionally, the circulating RSV-A and -B lineages were characterized and compared to those found in 2018 and 2019. STUDY DESIGN Respiratory specimens and data were collected from RSV-positive patients, both inpatients, and outpatients, of all ages at three sites in north-central Italy. To analyze these samples, roughly one-sixth were sequenced in the attachment glycoprotein G gene and subjected to phylogenetic and mutational analyses, including pre-pandemic sequences from north-central Italy. RESULTS The first post-pandemic surge of RSV cases was quite intense, occurring from October 2021 to early January 2022. The subsequent RSV epidemic (from November 2022 to early March 2023) also had a high impact, characterized by a rise in elderly patient cases. Post-pandemic cases of RSV-A were caused by various strains present in Italy prior to COVID-19. In contrast, a distinct RSV-B lineage, which was concurrently spreading in other countries, was identified as the main cause of the surge in 2022-2023 but remained undetected in Italy before the pandemic. CONCLUSIONS This study describes the temporal dynamics of post-pandemic RSV subgroups and uncovers a lineage of RSV-B with high genetic divergence that may have increased the impact of decreased population immunity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Pierangeli
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - Fabio Midulla
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Piralla
- Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale C. Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Guglielmo Ferrari
- Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale C. Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Raffaella Nenna
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | | | - Amelia Licari
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, via S. da Nuova, 65, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale C. Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Gian Luigi Marseglia
- Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, via S. da Nuova, 65, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale C. Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Dario Abruzzese
- Pediatric Clinic, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale C. Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Laura Pellegrinelli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, via C. Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Cristina Galli
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, via C. Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Sandro Binda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, via C. Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Danilo Cereda
- DG Welfare, Regione Lombardia, Piazza Città di Lombardia, 1, 20124, Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Fracella
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Oliveto
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Roberta Campagna
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Petrarca
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161, Rome, Italy
| | - Elena Pariani
- Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, University of Milan, via C. Pascal, 36, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Guido Antonelli
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy; University Hospital Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University, V.le del Policlinico 155, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Fausto Baldanti
- Microbiology and Virology Department, Fondazione IRCCS Policlinico San Matteo, Viale C. Golgi, 19, 27100 Pavia, Italy; Department of Clinical, Surgical, Diagnostic and Pediatric Sciences, University of Pavia, via S. da Nuova, 65, 27100 Pavia, Italy
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Korsun N, Trifonova I, Madzharova I, Alexiev I, Uzunova I, Ivanov I, Velikov P, Tcherveniakova T, Christova I. Resurgence of respiratory syncytial virus with dominance of RSV-B during the 2022-2023 season. Front Microbiol 2024; 15:1376389. [PMID: 38628867 PMCID: PMC11019023 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2024.1376389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common cause of upper and lower respiratory tract infections. This study aimed to explore the prevalence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and other respiratory viruses in Bulgaria, characterize the genetic diversity of RSV strains, and perform amino acid sequence analyses of RSV surface and internal proteins. Methods Clinical and epidemiological data and nasopharyngeal swabs were prospectively collected from patients with acute respiratory infections between October 2020 and May 2023. Real-time PCR for 13 respiratory viruses, whole-genome sequencing, phylogenetic, and amino acid analyses were performed. Results This study included three epidemic seasons (2020-2021, 2021-2022, and 2022-2023) from week 40 of the previous year to week 20 of the following year. Of the 3,047 patients examined, 1,813 (59.5%) tested positive for at least one viral respiratory pathogen. RSV was the second most detected virus (10.9%) after SARS-CoV-2 (22%). Coinfections between RSV and other respiratory viruses were detected in 68 cases, including 14 with SARS-CoV-2. After two seasons of low circulation, RSV activity increased significantly during the 2022-2023 season. The detection rates of RSV were 3.2, 6.6, and 13.7% in the first, second, and third seasons, respectively. RSV was the most common virus found in children under 5 years old with bronchiolitis (40%) and pneumonia (24.5%). RSV-B drove the 2022-2023 epidemic. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the sequenced RSV-B strains belonged to the GB5.0.5a and GB5.0.6a genotypes. Amino acid substitutions in the surface and internal proteins, including the F protein antigenic sites were identified compared to the BA prototype strain. Conclusion This study revealed a strong resurgence of RSV in the autumn of 2022 after the lifting of anti-COVID-19 measures, the leading role of RSV as a causative agent of serious respiratory illnesses in early childhood, and relatively low genetic diversity in circulating RSV strains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neli Korsun
- National Laboratory “Influenza and ARI”, Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ivelina Trifonova
- National Laboratory “Influenza and ARI”, Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Iveta Madzharova
- National Laboratory “Influenza and ARI”, Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ivaylo Alexiev
- National Laboratory “Influenza and ARI”, Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Ivan Ivanov
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Petar Velikov
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Medical University, Sofia, Bulgaria
| | | | - Iva Christova
- National Laboratory “Influenza and ARI”, Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria
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Pierangeli A, Nenna R, Fracella M, Scagnolari C, Oliveto G, Sorrentino L, Frasca F, Conti MG, Petrarca L, Papoff P, Turriziani O, Antonelli G, Stefanelli P, Palamara AT, Midulla F. Genetic diversity and its impact on disease severity in respiratory syncytial virus subtype-A and -B bronchiolitis before and after pandemic restrictions in Rome. J Infect 2023; 87:305-314. [PMID: 37495189 DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2023.07.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To scrutinize whether the high circulation of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) observed in 2021-2022 and 2022-2023 was due to viral diversity, we characterized RSV-A and -B strains causing bronchiolitis in Rome, before and after the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS RSV-positive samples, prospectively collected from infants hospitalized for bronchiolitis from 2017-2018 to 2022-2023, were sequenced in the G gene; phylogenetic results and amino acid substitutions were analyzed. Subtype-specific data were compared among seasons. RESULTS Predominance of RSV-A and -B alternated in the pre-pandemic seasons; RSV-A dominated in 2021-2022 whereas RSV-B was predominant in 2022-2023. RSV-A sequences were ON1 genotype but quite distant from the ancestor; two divergent clades included sequences from pre- and post-pandemic seasons. Nearly all RSV-B were BA10 genotype; a divergent clade included only strains from 2021-2022 to 2022-2023. RSV-A cases had lower need of O2 therapy and of intensive care during 2021-2022 with respect to all other seasons. RSV-B infected infants were more frequently admitted to intensive care units and needed O2 in 2022-2023. CONCLUSIONS The intense RSV peak in 2021-2022, driven by RSV-A phylogenetically related to pre-pandemic strains is attributable to the immune debt created by pandemic restrictions. The RSV-B genetic divergence observed in post-pandemic strains may have increased the RSV-B specific immune debt, being a possible contributor to bronchiolitis severity in 2022-2023.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Pierangeli
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - R Nenna
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - M Fracella
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - C Scagnolari
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - G Oliveto
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - L Sorrentino
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - F Frasca
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - M G Conti
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - L Petrarca
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - P Papoff
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - O Turriziani
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - G Antonelli
- Virology Laboratory, Department of Molecular Medicine, Sapienza University, V.le Porta Tiburtina, 28, 00185 Rome, Italy.
| | - P Stefanelli
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - A T Palamara
- Department of Infectious Diseases, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
| | - F Midulla
- Department of Pediatrics and Infantile Neuropsychiatry, Sapienza University, V.le Regina Elena, 299, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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5
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Tramuto F, Maida CM, Mazzucco W, Costantino C, Amodio E, Sferlazza G, Previti A, Immordino P, Vitale F. Molecular Epidemiology and Genetic Diversity of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Sicily during Pre- and Post-COVID-19 Surveillance Seasons. Pathogens 2023; 12:1099. [PMID: 37764907 PMCID: PMC10534943 DOI: 10.3390/pathogens12091099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) is an important pathogen of acute respiratory tract infection of global significance. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology and the genetic variability of hRSV over seven surveillance seasons between 2015 and 2023 in Sicily, Italy. hRSV subgroups co-circulated through every season, although hRSV-B mostly prevailed. After the considerable reduction in the circulation of hRSV due to the widespread implementation of non-pharmaceutical preventive measures during the COVID-19 pandemic, hRSV rapidly re-emerged at a high intensity in 2022-2023. The G gene was sequenced for genotyping and analysis of deduced amino acids. A total of 128 hRSV-A and 179 hRSV-B G gene sequences were obtained. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that the GA2.3.5a (ON1) and GB5.0.5a (BA9) genotypes were responsible for the hRSV epidemics in Sicily.; only one strain belonged to the genotype GB5.0.4a. No differences were observed in the circulating genotypes during pre- and post-pandemic years. Amino acid sequence alignment revealed the continuous evolution of the G gene, with a combination of amino acid changes specifically appearing in 2022-2023. The predicted N-glycosylation sites were relatively conserved in ON1 and BA9 genotype strains. Our findings augment the understanding and prediction of the seasonal evolution of hRSV at the local level and its implication in the monitoring of novel variants worth considering in better design of candidate vaccines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Tramuto
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Carmelo Massimo Maida
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Walter Mazzucco
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Claudio Costantino
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Emanuele Amodio
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
| | - Giuseppe Sferlazza
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Adriana Previti
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
| | - Palmira Immordino
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
| | - Francesco Vitale
- Department of Health Promotion, Mother and Child Care, Internal Medicine and Medical Specialties “G. D’Alessandro”—Hygiene Section, University of Palermo, 90134 Palermo, Italy; (C.M.M.); (W.M.); (C.C.); (E.A.); (P.I.); (F.V.)
- Regional Reference Laboratory for Molecular Surveillance of Influenza, Clinical Epidemiology Unit, University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”, 90127 Palermo, Italy; (G.S.); (A.P.)
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Ono T, Hashimoto K, Kume Y, Chishiki M, Okabe H, Sato M, Norito S, Aso J, Sada M, Mochizuki I, Mashiyama F, Ishibashi N, Suzuki S, Sakuma H, Suwa R, Kawase M, Takeda M, Shirato K, Kimura H, Hosoya M. Molecular Diversity of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus before and during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Two Neighboring Japanese Cities. Microbiol Spectr 2023; 11:e0260622. [PMID: 37409937 PMCID: PMC10433803 DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02606-22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial viruses (HRSVs) are divided into subgroups A and B, which are further divided based on the nucleotide sequence of the second hypervariable region (HVR) of the attachment glycoprotein (G) gene. Understanding the molecular diversity of HRSV before and during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic can provide insights into the effects of the pandemic on HRSV dissemination and guide vaccine development. Here, we analyzed HRSVs isolated in Fukushima Prefecture from September 2017 to December 2021. Specimens from pediatric patients were collected at two medical institutions in neighboring cities. A phylogenetic tree based on the second HVR nucleotide sequences was constructed using the Bayesian Markov chain Monte Carlo method. HRSV-A (ON1 genotype) and HRSV-B (BA9 genotype) were detected in 183 and 108 specimens, respectively. There were differences in the number of HRSV strains within clusters prevalent at the same time between the two hospitals. The genetic characteristics of HRSVs in 2021 after the COVID-19 outbreak were similar to those in 2019. HRSVs within a cluster may circulate within a region for several years, causing an epidemic cycle. Our findings add to the existing knowledge of the molecular epidemiology of HRSV in Japan. IMPORTANCE Understanding the molecular diversity of human respiratory syncytial viruses during pandemics caused by different viruses can provide insights that can guide public health decisions and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takashi Ono
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Koichi Hashimoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Yohei Kume
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Mina Chishiki
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hisao Okabe
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Masatoki Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Sakurako Norito
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Jumpei Aso
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mitsuru Sada
- Department of Respiratory Medicine, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Izumi Mochizuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Ohara General Hospital, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Fumi Mashiyama
- Department of Pediatrics, Hoshi General Hospital, Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Naohisa Ishibashi
- Department of Pediatrics, Ohara General Hospital, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Shigeo Suzuki
- Department of Pediatrics, Ohara General Hospital, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Hiroko Sakuma
- Department of Pediatrics, Hoshi General Hospital, Koriyama, Fukushima, Japan
| | - Reiko Suwa
- Department of Virology 3, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Miyuki Kawase
- Department of Virology 3, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Makoto Takeda
- Department of Microbiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Faculty of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuya Shirato
- Department of Virology 3, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hirokazu Kimura
- Gunma Paz University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Takasaki, Gunma, Japan
| | - Mitsuaki Hosoya
- Department of Pediatrics, Fukushima Medical University, Fukushima, Fukushima, Japan
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7
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Virant MJ, Luštrek M, Kogoj R, Petrovec M, Uršič T. Changes in HRSV Epidemiology but Not Circulating Variants in Hospitalized Children due to the Emergence of SARS-CoV-2. Viruses 2023; 15:1218. [PMID: 37376518 DOI: 10.3390/v15061218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
This study assesses the circulation of human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) genotypes before, during, and toward the end of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pandemic in children and determines the influence of the pandemic on HRSV circulation patterns and evolution. Phylogenetic analysis of the hypervariable glycoprotein G gene was performed on 221/261 (84.7%) HRSV-positive samples and shows two separated clusters, one belonging to HRSV-A (129/221) and another to HRSV-B (92/221). All Slovenian HRSV-A strains contained the 72-nucleotide-long duplicated region in the attachment glycoprotein G gene and were classified as lineage GA2.3.5. All Slovenian HRSV-B strains similarly contained a 60-nucleotide-long duplicated region in the attachment glycoprotein G gene and were classified as lineage GB5.0.5a. During the 3-year period (2018-2021) covered by the study, no significant differences were observed within strains detected before the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, during it, and after the implementation of nonpharmaceutical preventive measures. Slovenian HRSV-A strains seem to be more diverse than HRSV-B strains. Therefore, further whole-genome investigations would be required for better monitoring of the long-term impact of SARS-CoV-2 endemic circulation and the formation of new HRSV lineages and epidemiological patterns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Jevšnik Virant
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Manca Luštrek
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Rok Kogoj
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Miroslav Petrovec
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tina Uršič
- Institute of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Zaloška 4, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
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8
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Goya S, Lucion MF, Shilts MH, Juárez MDV, Gentile A, Mistchenko AS, Viegas M, Das SR. Evolutionary dynamics of respiratory syncytial virus in Buenos Aires: Viral diversity, migration, and subgroup replacement. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead006. [PMID: 36880065 PMCID: PMC9985318 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 09/25/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Globally, the human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the major causes of lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs) in children. The scarcity of complete genome data limits our understanding of RSV spatiotemporal distribution, evolution, and viral variant emergence. Nasopharyngeal samples collected from hospitalized pediatric patients from Buenos Aires tested positive for RSV LRTI during four consecutive outbreaks (2014-2017) were randomly subsampled for RSV complete genome sequencing. Phylodynamic studies and viral population characterization of genomic variability, diversity, and migration of viruses to and from Argentina during the study period were performed. Our sequencing effort resulted in one of the largest collections of RSV genomes from a given location (141 RSV-A and 135 RSV-B) published so far. RSV-B was dominant during the 2014-2016 outbreaks (60 per cent of cases) but was abruptly replaced by RSV-A in 2017, with RSV-A accounting for 90 per cent of sequenced samples. A significant decrease in RSV genomic diversity-represented by both a reduction in genetic lineages detected and the predominance of viral variants defined by signature amino acids-was observed in Buenos Aires in 2016, the year prior to the RSV subgroup predominance replacement. Multiple introductions to Buenos Aires were detected, some with persistent detection over seasons, and also, RSV was observed to migrate from Buenos Aires to other countries. Our results suggest that the decrease in viral diversity may have allowed the dramatic predominance switch from RSV-B to RSV-A in 2017. The immune pressure generated against circulating viruses with limited diversity during a given outbreak may have created a fertile ground for an antigenically divergent RSV variant to be introduced and successfully spread in the subsequent outbreak. Overall, our RSV genomic analysis of intra- and inter-outbreak diversity provides an opportunity to better understand the epochal evolutionary dynamics of RSV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Goya
- Virology Laboratory, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - Maria Florencia Lucion
- Department of Epidemiology, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Meghan H Shilts
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - María del Valle Juárez
- Department of Epidemiology, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Angela Gentile
- Department of Epidemiology, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Alicia S Mistchenko
- Virology Laboratory, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Mariana Viegas
- Virology Laboratory, Ricardo Gutiérrez Children’s Hospital, Gallo 1330, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
- National Scientific and Technical Research Council, Godoy Cruz 2290, Buenos Aires 1425, Argentina
| | - Suman R Das
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1161 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
- Department Otolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, 1215 21st Ave S, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
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9
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Aizawa Y, Kasamatsu T, Nagasawa K, Watanabe K, Saitoh A. Molecular Evolution and Epidemiology of Parechovirus-A3 in Japan, 1997-2019. J Infect Dis 2023; 227:288-294. [PMID: 35608411 DOI: 10.1093/infdis/jiac213] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/20/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Parechovirus-A3 (PeV-A3), first reported in 2004 in Japan, is an emerging pathogen that causes sepsis and meningoencephalitis in neonates and young infants. Although PeV-A3 has been identified worldwide, its epidemiological characteristics differ by region. To investigate the molecular evolution and epidemiology of PeV-A3, we performed genetic analyses of 131 PeV-A3 strains from the years 1997-2019 in Niigata, Japan. During 2016-2019, annual numbers remained steady, in contrast to the PeV-A3 epidemic interval of every 2-3 years that was observed in Japan from 2006. Bayesian evolutionary analysis of the complete viral protein 1 region revealed alternate dominant clusters during years of PeV-A3 epidemics. The branch including the oldest and first isolated PeV-A3 strains in Japan has been disrupted since 2001. The year of PeV-A3 emergence was estimated to be 1991. Continuous surveillance with genetic analyses of different regions will improve understanding of PeV-A3 epidemiology worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuta Aizawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Takuhiro Kasamatsu
- Department of Medical Technology, Niigata University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Koo Nagasawa
- Chiba Cancer Center Research Institute, Chiba, Japan
| | - Kanako Watanabe
- Department of Medical Technology, Niigata University Graduate School of Health Sciences, Niigata, Japan
| | - Akihiko Saitoh
- Department of Pediatrics, Niigata University Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Niigata, Japan
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10
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Coppée R, Chenane HR, Bridier-Nahmias A, Tcherakian C, Catherinot E, Collin G, Lebourgeois S, Visseaux B, Descamps D, Vasse M, Farfour E. Temporal dynamics of RSV shedding and genetic diversity in adults during the COVID-19 pandemic in a French hospital, early 2021. Virus Res 2023; 323:198950. [PMID: 36181977 PMCID: PMC9519364 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198950] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 09/03/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is responsible of lower respiratory tract infections which may be severe in infants, elderly and immunocompromised adults. Europe and North-American countries have observed a massive reduction of RSV incidence during the 2020-2021 winter season. Using a systematic RSV detection coupled to SARS-CoV-2 for all adult patients admitted at the Foch hospital (Suresnes, France) between January and March 2021 (n = 11,324), only eight RSV infections in patients with prolonged RNA shedding were diagnosed. RSV whole-genome sequencing revealed that six and two patients were infected by RSV groups A and B, respectively. RSV carriage lasted from 7 to at least 30 days disregarding of RSV lineage. The most prolonged RSV shedding was observed in an asymptomatic patient. We detected novel patient-specific non-synonymous mutations in the G glycoprotein gene, including a double identical mutation in the repeated region for one patient. No additional mutation occurred in the RSV genome over the course of infection in the four patients tested for. In conclusion, our results suggest that the temporal shift in the RSV epidemic is not likely to be explained by the emergence of a high frequency, unreported variant. Moreover, prolonged RSV carriages in asymptomatic patients could play a role in virus spread.
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Affiliation(s)
- Romain Coppée
- Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France
| | | | | | | | | | - Gilles Collin
- Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France; Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, AP-HP, F-75018 Paris, France
| | - Samuel Lebourgeois
- Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France
| | - Benoit Visseaux
- Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France; Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, AP-HP, F-75018 Paris, France
| | - Diane Descamps
- Université Paris Cité and Sorbonne Paris Nord, Inserm, IAME, F-75018 Paris, France; Laboratoire de Virologie, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, AP-HP, F-75018 Paris, France
| | - Marc Vasse
- Service de Biologie Clinique, Hôpital Foch, F-92150 Suresnes, France
| | - Eric Farfour
- Service de Biologie Clinique, Hôpital Foch, F-92150 Suresnes, France
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11
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Genetic Diversity and Epidemiological Features of Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Beijing, 2015–2019: A Multicenter and All-Age Groups Study. J Infect 2022; 85:75-85. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jinf.2022.04.046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 04/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
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12
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Lee CY, Fang YP, Wang LC, Chou TY, Liu HF. Genetic Diversity and Molecular Epidemiology of Circulating Respiratory Syncytial Virus in Central Taiwan, 2008-2017. Viruses 2021; 14:v14010032. [PMID: 35062237 PMCID: PMC8777914 DOI: 10.3390/v14010032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
In this study, we investigated the molecular evolution and phylodynamics of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) over 10 consecutive seasons (2008–2017) and the genetic variability of the RSV genotypes ON1 and BA in central Taiwan. The ectodomain region of the G gene was sequenced for genotyping. The nucleotide and deduced amino acid sequences of the second hypervariable region of the G protein in RSV ON1 and BA were analyzed. A total of 132 RSV-A and 81 RSV-B isolates were obtained. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the NA1, ON1, and BA9 genotypes were responsible for the RSV epidemics in central Taiwan in the study period. For RSV-A, the NA1 genotype predominated during the 2008–2011 seasons. The ON1 genotype was first detected in 2011 and replaced NA1 after 2012. For RSV-B, the BA9 and BA10 genotypes cocirculated from 2008 to 2010, but the BA9 genotype has predominated since 2012. Amino acid sequence alignments revealed the continuous evolution of the G gene in the ectodomain region. The predicted N-glycosylation sites were relatively conserved in the ON1 (site 237 and 318) and BA9 (site 296 and 310) genotype strains. Our results contribute to the understanding and prediction of the temporal evolution of RSV at the local level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun-Yi Lee
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 505029, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (Y.-P.F.)
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
| | - Yu-Ping Fang
- Department of Pediatrics, Chang Bing Show Chwan Memorial Hospital, Changhua 505029, Taiwan; (C.-Y.L.); (Y.-P.F.)
| | - Li-Chung Wang
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung 40705, Taiwan;
| | - Teh-Ying Chou
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 112304, Taiwan;
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11217, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-Fu Liu
- Department of Medical Research, Mackay Memorial Hospital, Taipei 25160, Taiwan
- Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, National Taiwan Ocean University, Keelung 202301, Taiwan
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, MacKay Medical College, New Taipei City 25245, Taiwan
- Correspondence:
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13
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Chen J, Qiu X, Avadhanula V, Shepard SS, Kim DK, Hixson J, Piedra PA, Bahl J. Novel and extendable genotyping system for human respiratory syncytial virus based on whole-genome sequence analysis. Influenza Other Respir Viruses 2021; 16:492-500. [PMID: 34894077 PMCID: PMC8983899 DOI: 10.1111/irv.12936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Revised: 09/12/2021] [Accepted: 10/17/2021] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the leading causes of respiratory infections, especially in infants and young children. Previous RSV sequencing studies have primarily focused on partial sequencing of G gene (200-300 nucleotides) for genotype characterization or diagnostics. However, the genotype assignment with G gene has not recapitulated the phylogenetic signal of other genes, and there is no consensus on RSV genotype definition. METHODS We conducted maximum likelihood phylogenetic analysis with 10 RSV individual genes and whole-genome sequence (WGS) that are published in GenBank. RSV genotypes were determined by using phylogenetic analysis and pair-wise node distances. RESULTS In this study, we first statistically examined the phylogenetic incongruence, rate variation for each RSV gene sequence and WGS. We then proposed a new RSV genotyping system based on a comparative analysis of WGS and the temporal distribution of strains. We also provide an RSV classification tool to perform RSV genotype assignment and a publicly accessible up-to-date instance of Nextstrain where the phylogenetic relationship of all genotypes can be explored. CONCLUSIONS This revised RSV genotyping system will provide important information for disease surveillance, epidemiology, and vaccine development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Chen
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
| | - Xueting Qiu
- Department of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Center for Communicable Disease Dynamics, Department of Epidemiology, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Vasanthi Avadhanula
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Samuel S Shepard
- Influenza Division, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | - Do-Kyun Kim
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - James Hixson
- Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Pedro A Piedra
- Department of Molecular Virology & Microbiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Justin Bahl
- Center for Ecology of Infectious Diseases, Institute of Bioinformatics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Infectious Disease, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University of Georgia, Athens, GA, USA
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14
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Functional Features of the Respiratory Syncytial Virus G Protein. Viruses 2021; 13:v13071214. [PMID: 34372490 PMCID: PMC8310105 DOI: 10.3390/v13071214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a major cause of serious lower respiratory tract infections in children < 5 years of age worldwide and repeated infections throughout life leading to serious disease in the elderly and persons with compromised immune, cardiac, and pulmonary systems. The disease burden has made it a high priority for vaccine and antiviral drug development but without success except for immune prophylaxis for certain young infants. Two RSV proteins are associated with protection, F and G, and F is most often pursued for vaccine and antiviral drug development. Several features of the G protein suggest it could also be an important to vaccine or antiviral drug target design. We review features of G that effect biology of infection, the host immune response, and disease associated with infection. Though it is not clear how to fit these together into an integrated picture, it is clear that G mediates cell surface binding and facilitates cellular infection, modulates host responses that affect both immunity and disease, and its CX3C aa motif contributes to many of these effects. These features of G and the ability to block the effects with antibody, suggest G has substantial potential in vaccine and antiviral drug design.
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