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Development and Validation of a Quantitative PCR Method for Equid Herpesvirus-2 Diagnostics in Respiratory Fluids
Published on: March 17, 2016
Genetic diversity of echovirus 30 during a meningitis outbreak, demonstrated by direct molecular typing from
Jean-Luc Bailly1, Damien Brosson, Christine Archimbaud
1UFR Médecine, Laboratoire de Virologie-EA2148, Clermont-Ferrand, France. j-luc.bailly@u-clermont1.fr
Abstract:
Echovirus 30 is one of the enterovirus serotypes isolated most frequently in meningitis cases. The genetic diversity of echovirus 30 was investigated in patients hospitalised during an outbreak in 2000 in Clermont-Ferrand, France. A nested reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay was developed for qualitative analysis of the echovirus 30 VP1 encoding sequence directly from cerebrospinal fluid. The viral sequences obtained for 22 patients were compared with those of virus isolates obtained from nine patients with echovirus 30 meningitis admitted to hospital in 1996-1997 and with echovirus 30 sequences from international databases. In 2000, meningitis cases were caused by two virus variants (C3 and C4) distinct genetically from the other two variants (C1 and C2) identified during the period 1996-1997. A detailed phylogenetic analysis established that the C1, C2, and C3 variants had close relatives among viruses previously identified in other geographical areas. The C4 variant had not been described earlier. The genomic differences observed between the four echovirus 30 variants arose at synonymous sites indicating that the viruses shared similar antigenic sites in the VP1 encoding sequence. Overall, these observations suggest wide circulation of different echovirus 30 variants and periodic importation of new viruses. The apparent displacement observed between virus variants did not result from a selective advantage caused by antigenic variation.
Insights
Genetic analysis of echovirus 30 revealed new variants circulating during a 2000 meningitis outbreak in France. These findings suggest ongoing viral evolution and importation of diverse echovirus 30 strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
Background:
- Echovirus 30 is a frequent cause of meningitis.
- Understanding echovirus 30 genetic diversity is crucial for public health surveillance.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic diversity of echovirus 30 during a 2000 meningitis outbreak.
- To compare contemporary echovirus 30 strains with historical isolates and global sequences.
Main Methods:
- Developed a nested reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) assay for echovirus 30 VP1 gene analysis.
- Analyzed viral sequences directly from cerebrospinal fluid.
- Conducted phylogenetic analysis comparing French isolates with international databases.
Main Results:
- Identified two distinct echovirus 30 variants (C3 and C4) in 2000, differing from the C1 and C2 variants found in 1996-1997.
- Variant C4 represented a previously undescribed strain.
- Phylogenetic analysis showed C1, C2, and C3 variants had known relatives, while C4 was novel.
- Observed genetic differences occurred at synonymous sites, suggesting conserved antigenic properties.
Conclusions:
- Echovirus 30 exhibits significant genetic diversity with evidence of new variant importation.
- The observed variant displacement was not driven by antigenic variation.
- Findings highlight the dynamic nature of echovirus 30 circulation and evolution.
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