Human cytomegalovirus glycoprotein B genotyping from bronchoalveolar lavage specimens

The genes encoding glycoprotein complexes of human cytomegalovirus are often polymorphic; in particular, glycoprotein B (gB), which is essential for both in vivo and in vitro replication, is encoded by the highly polymorphic gene UL55. In this study, the distribution of gB genotypes was investigated in 44 bronchoalveolar lavage specimens from adult patients positive for human cytomegalovirus DNA by a multiplex nested fast PCR able to amplify 5 gB genotypes (gB1-gB5). The distribution of gB genotypes was as follows: 12 (27.3%) gB1, 11 (25%) gB2, 9 (20.4%) gB3, 4 (9.1%) gB4, 0 gB5, and 8 (18.2%) mixed genotypes. No difference in prevalence was found in relation to clinical features, including immunological status, non-transplant or transplant condition, and type of transplanted organ, or in follow-up specimens; while gB4 and gB3 were shown to be significantly more prevalent in patients with respiratory insufficiency, and gB4 and gB2 in those with pneumonia. The prevalence of gB genotypes in the lower respiratory tract was similar to that previously reported using other specimen types and patients, with gB1 found to be the most prevalent. The association of gB genotypes with specific clinical features should be further investigated.