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Particle Agglutination Method for Poliovirus Identification
Published on: April 20, 2011
Molecular characterization of echovirus 30 isolates from Poland, 1995-2015
Magdalena Wieczorek1, Arleta Krzysztoszek2, Agnieszka Figas2
1Department of Virology, National Institute of Public Health - National Institute of Hygiene, Chocimska 24 Str., 00-791, Warsaw, Poland. mrechnio@pzh.gov.pl.
Abstract:
Echovirus 30 (E30) is one of the most frequently identified enterovirus and a major cause of meningitis in children and adults. To investigate the genetic variability and relationship of E30 isolated from specimens of aseptic meningitis cases that occurred in Poland over a period of 20 years, sequences of VP1 gene were determined and genetic analysis was performed. From 1995 to 2015, 124 E30 were isolated using RD cells, and 58 isolates were sequenced and characterized by phylogenetic analysis of partial VP1 region (793 nt). In general, nucleotide sequence divergence in pairwise comparisons among Polish E30 isolates ranged from 0.0 to 15.0 %. The phylogenetic analysis revealed that E30 circulating in Poland since 1995 belong to two unique groups: Group I, characterized by high divergence (up to 13.1 %), segregated in four subgroups, and showed strong temporal circulation of E30. Group II, detected in Poland in 2013-2014, was closely correlated with two meningitis outbreaks and formed a separate genetically homogeneous group. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that strains from Poland had the closest genetic relationship with not only the isolates previously identified in Europe (Belarus, France, Germany, Italy, Russia) but also those in other parts of the world (Australia, China). Sequences of outbreak isolates were grouped in group II together with those from Russia and China isolated during 2010-2013. The identification of five distinct viral lineages during 1995-2015 confirmed the high E30 genetic diversity which may be an essential precondition for the emergence of new strains responsible for further potential aseptic meningitis outbreaks.
Insights
Echovirus 30 (E30) genetic diversity in Poland over 20 years revealed two distinct circulating groups. This high variability may drive future aseptic meningitis outbreaks.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Echovirus 30 (E30) is a significant enterovirus causing meningitis in all age groups.
- Understanding E30 genetic diversity is crucial for tracking outbreaks and developing control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the genetic variability and relationships of Echovirus 30 strains isolated in Poland over a 20-year period (1995-2015).
- To investigate the genetic links between Polish E30 isolates and those from other global regions.
Main Methods:
- Isolation of 124 E30 strains from aseptic meningitis cases using RD cells.
- Sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 gene (793 nt) for 58 E30 isolates.
- Comparative analysis of nucleotide sequence divergence among Polish E30 strains.
Main Results:
- Polish E30 isolates from 1995-2015 belonged to two distinct genetic groups with up to 15.0% nucleotide divergence.
- Group I showed high divergence and temporal circulation, segregating into four subgroups.
- Group II, linked to outbreaks in 2013-2014, formed a homogeneous cluster with strains from Russia and China.
- Polish strains showed close genetic relationships with E30 isolates from Europe and other continents.
Conclusions:
- The study identified five distinct Echovirus 30 lineages in Poland between 1995 and 2015, indicating significant genetic diversity.
- This genetic variability is a key factor for the emergence of new E30 strains and potential future aseptic meningitis outbreaks.
- Findings highlight the importance of continuous molecular surveillance of enteroviruses.

