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Human cytomegalovirus a sequence and UL144 variability in strains from infected children

J F Bale1, S J Petheram, M Robertson

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, Utah 84113, USA. pcjbale@ihc.com

Journal of Medical Virology
|August 16, 2001
PubMed

Insights

Genetic variations in human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) strains were analyzed in children. UL144 gene polymorphisms in these HCMV strains were found to be similar to those in immunocompromised adults.

Area of Science:

  • Virology
  • Genetics
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) exhibits genetic diversity, potentially influencing disease presentation and tissue tropism.
  • Understanding HCMV strain variability is crucial for comprehending infection dynamics and outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate genetic polymorphisms within the a sequence and UL144 gene regions of HCMV isolates from children.
  • To determine if specific HCMV strain variations correlate with clinical outcomes, particularly in congenital infections.

Main Methods:

  • Analysis of 51 low-passage HCMV isolates from healthy and congenitally infected children in Iowa and Texas.
  • Phylogenetic analysis of nucleotide variation in the a sequence and UL144 gene regions.
  • Comparison of UL144 polymorphisms with glycoprotein B (gB) genotypes.

Main Results:

  • Substantial nucleotide variation was observed in both studied gene regions across HCMV isolates.
  • Phylogenetic analysis grouped isolates into six clades based on a sequence variability.
  • No direct linkage was found between a sequence, UL144, and gB polymorphisms, though some isolates shared high homology across regions and identical gB genotypes.
  • UL144 polymorphisms did not correlate with the outcome of congenital HCMV infection.

Conclusions:

  • HCMV strains circulating in young children share similar UL144 polymorphisms with those found in immunocompromised adults.
  • Conserved nucleotide sequences identified between Iowa and Texas isolates suggest genetic stability and biological significance of these regions.
  • The study highlights the genetic diversity within HCMV and its potential implications for disease, while noting specific conserved elements.

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