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Standard Operating Procedure for Lyssavirus Surveillance of the Bat Population in Taiwan
Published on: August 27, 2019
Molecular epidemiological analysis of Saffold cardiovirus genotype 3 from upper respiratory infection patients in
Tsuey-Li Lin1, Ting-Han Lin1, Shu-Chun Chiu1
1Center for Research, Diagnostics and Vaccine Development, Centers for Disease Control, Taiwan, Taipei, Taiwan.
Background:
Saffold cardiovirus (SAFV) belongs to the Cardiovirus genus of Picornaviridae family, and may be a relevant new human pathogen; Thus far, eleven genotypes have been identified. The SAFV type 3 (SAFV-3) is thought to be the major genotype and is detected relatively frequently in children with acute gastroenteritis and respiratory illness. The epidemiology and pathogenicity of SAFV-3 remain unclear.
Objectives:
To investigate the genomic and epidemiologic profiles of SAFV-3 infection in Taiwan.
Study Design:
Virus was detected in respiratory samples from children suffering for URI. SAFV-3 isolates were detected by isolation on cell culture and IF assay. The molecular typing was performed by RT-PCR and was sequenced to compare with reference strains available in the NCBI GeneBank. Serum samples were collected from 2005 to 2013 in Taiwan for seroprevalence investigation.
Results:
A total of 226 specimens collected from children with URIs, 22 (9.73%) were positive for SAFV-3. The majority of SAFV-3 infections were found in children less than 6 years of age (14 of 22, 63.6%). Genetic analysis of VP1 coding region of Taiwanese isolates shown an 83.2-97.7% difference from other available SAFV-3 sequences in NCBI GenBank. Phylogenetic analysis revealed there is three genetic groups of SAFV-3 co-circulated in Taiwan during the study period. In addition, seroprevalence investigation results indicated that SAFV-3 infection occurs early in life and 43.7-77.8% of children aged between 6 months to 9 years old, had neutralizing antibodies against SAFV-3.
Conclusion:
SAFV-3 may have circulated in Taiwan for some time and it appears to be one of the etiological agents responsible for URIs in children.
Insights
Saffold cardiovirus type 3 (SAFV-3) is a significant cause of upper respiratory illness (URI) in Taiwanese children. This study identified three co-circulating genetic groups of SAFV-3, highlighting its endemic presence.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Saffold cardiovirus (SAFV), a member of the Picornaviridae family, is an emerging human pathogen.
- SAFV type 3 (SAFV-3) is a predominant genotype frequently detected in children with respiratory and gastrointestinal illnesses.
- The epidemiology and pathogenicity of SAFV-3 remain largely uncharacterized.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genomic characteristics and epidemiological patterns of SAFV-3 infections in Taiwan.
- To understand the prevalence and genetic diversity of SAFV-3 in pediatric respiratory infections.
Main Methods:
- Detection of SAFV-3 in respiratory samples from children with upper respiratory tract infections (URIs) using cell culture and immunofluorescence (IF) assay.
- Molecular typing of SAFV-3 isolates via RT-PCR and sequencing, with comparisons to reference strains in NCBI GeneBank.
- Seroprevalence study using serum samples collected from 2005 to 2013 in Taiwan to assess population immunity.
Main Results:
- SAFV-3 was detected in 9.73% (22/226) of pediatric URI cases, predominantly in children under 6 years old.
- Genetic analysis of the VP1 coding region revealed significant divergence (83.2-97.7%) among Taiwanese SAFV-3 isolates compared to global strains.
- Phylogenetic analysis identified three distinct genetic groups of SAFV-3 co-circulating in Taiwan.
- Seroprevalence data indicated early-life exposure, with 43.7-77.8% of children aged 6 months to 9 years possessing neutralizing antibodies against SAFV-3.
Conclusions:
- SAFV-3 has likely been circulating in Taiwan for an extended period.
- SAFV-3 is identified as a significant etiological agent contributing to URIs in the pediatric population in Taiwan.
- The findings underscore the need for continued surveillance of SAFV-3 in respiratory infections.
