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Recombination and evolutionary dynamics of human echovirus 6
María Cabrerizo1, Gloria Trallero, Peter Simmonds
1Enterovirus Unit, National Centre for Microbiology, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain.
Journal of Medical Virology
|October 12, 2013
Summary
Echovirus 6 (E6) rapidly became dominant in Spain, displacing Echovirus 30. Genetic analysis revealed E6 strains are recombinants with short lifespans, influencing enterovirus epidemiology.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Enterovirus (EV) infections cause severe diseases like meningitis and paralysis.
- Echovirus 30 (E30) was dominant in Spain (1988-2008), with Echovirus 6 (E6) endemic.
- A significant shift occurred in 2009 with E6 becoming dominant (60%) and E30 declining (2%).
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolution and recombination driving E6 epidemiology in Spain.
- To analyze genetic diversity and transmission patterns of E6 strains.
- To understand the impact of recombination on E6 lineage dynamics.
Main Methods:
- Genetic analysis of VP1 and 3Dpol regions from 67 Spanish E6 strains (2004-2010).
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine E6 genogroup and subgroup.
- Identification and characterization of recombinant forms (RFs) and their divergence.
Main Results:
- All E6 VP1 sequences belonged to genogroup C, subgroup 9, consistent with global strains.
- 3Dpol sequences showed extensive interspersion with other species B EVs, indicating multiple recombination events.
- At least 12 different recombinant forms (RFs) were identified with minimal VP1 divergence.
- E6 RFs exhibited an exceptionally short estimated half-life (0.87 years).
Conclusions:
- E6 in Spain exhibits a complex evolutionary pattern driven by recombination.
- The co-circulation of diverse E6 lineages and recombination contributes to rapid turnover.
- This contrasts with other species B EVs and EV71, suggesting unique transmission dynamics for E6.
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