Detection and characterization of a novel human parechovirus genotype in Thailand
Watchaporn Chuchaona1, Pattara Khamrin1, Arpaporn Yodmeeklin1
1Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine, Chiang Mai University, Chiang Mai, Thailand.
Insights
Human parechoviruses (HPeV) were detected in 1.8% of children with diarrhea in Thailand. The study identified common HPeV1, uncommon HPeV14, and a potential new HPeV genotype 17.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
Background:
- Human parechoviruses (HPeV), part of the Picornaviridae family, are known to cause respiratory illnesses in infants and young children.
- Sixteen distinct HPeV genotypes have been identified globally, primarily through VP1 sequence phylogenetic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and genotype distribution of Human parechoviruses (HPeV) in Thailand.
- To investigate HPeV in pediatric fecal samples from Chiang Mai.
Main Methods:
- Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to detect HPeV.
- VP1 gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were used for genotype identification.
Main Results:
- Human parechoviruses (HPeV) were detected in 1.8% (3 out of 171) of the fecal specimens analyzed.
- Identified genotypes included the common HPeV1 and the less common HPeV14.
- One sample (CMH-N185-12) exhibited a novel sequence, not clustering with known genotypes, suggesting a potential new HPeV genotype 17.
Conclusions:
- This study establishes the presence of HPeV in Thailand, with a prevalence of 1.8% in children with diarrhea.
- The findings highlight the circulation of known HPeV genotypes and introduce the possibility of a novel genotype 17.
- Further research is warranted to characterize the newly identified HPeV strain and its clinical significance.
Abstract:
Human parechoviruses (HPeV), member in the family Picornaviridae, cause respiratory symptoms primarily in infants and young children. Currently, 16 genotypes have been described based on phylogenetic analysis of VP1 sequences, all of which have a global distribution. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence and genotype distribution of HPeV in Thailand. A total of 171 fecal specimens collected during October 2012 to May 2013 from children with diarrhea in Chiang Mai, Thailand were investigated for HPeV by RT-PCR and sequence analysis. HPeVs were found in 3 out of 171 (1.8%) fecal specimens tested. Of these, one was HPeV1 which is commonly detected in children with gastroenteritis and another one was uncommon HPeV14 genotype. Most interestingly, the sequence of the third HPeV positive sample (CMH-N185-12) did not cluster with any of the known 16 genotypes and therefore is proposed as a candidate HPeV genotype 17.
