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A new candidate type of human enterovirus (Drilon strain) isolated in the Philippines
Abstract:
A cytopathogenic agent was isolated in monkey kidney (MK) cell cultures from the stool specimen of a 3-month-old Filipina hospitalized with lower respiratory disease. The agent was designated the Drilon strain. It was characterized as an enterovirus on the basis of electron microscopic morphology, nucleic acid type (RNA), resistance to ether and acid (pH 3.0) treatments, stabilization by molar MgCl2 against heat inactivation, and buoyant density in CsCl. The strain caused mild febrile illness in experimentally inoculated cynomolgus monkeys, but not in suckling mice. In addition to its effect on primary MK cells, the virus was cytopathogenic in primary and secondary human amnion or embryonic lung cell cultures and in WI-38 or HEp-2 cell lines, but not in primary bovine kidney, primary porcine kidney, primary embryonic mouse or primary embryonic chick cell cultures. The Drilon strain was not neutralized by reference antisera against the known enterovirus serotypes, and the antiserum prepared with the Drilon strain did not neutralize any of the recognized prototype enterovirus strains. Although the patient's sera were not available, antibodies against the Drilon strain were prevalent in normal Filipinos and Indonesians, but not in Japanese people. The Drilon strain fulfilled the criteria of human enterovirus and is considered a candidate for designation as a new type.
Insights
A novel enterovirus, the Drilon strain, was isolated from a Filipino infant with respiratory illness. This cytopathogenic virus shows characteristics of a new human enterovirus type.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- A cytopathogenic agent was isolated from a 3-month-old Filipina infant with lower respiratory disease.
- The isolated agent was designated the Drilon strain.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the isolated agent and determine if it represents a new type of human enterovirus.
Main Methods:
- Isolation and characterization of the cytopathogenic agent in cell cultures (monkey kidney, human amnion, embryonic lung, WI-38, HEp-2).
- Electron microscopy, nucleic acid typing, and resistance/stability tests (ether, acid, MgCl2, CsCl) for viral characterization.
- Animal inoculation studies (cynomolgus monkeys, suckling mice).
- Serological tests using reference antisera and prepared antiserum against the Drilon strain.
Main Results:
- The Drilon strain was identified as an enterovirus based on its properties.
- The virus caused mild febrile illness in cynomolgus monkeys but not in suckling mice.
- It was cytopathogenic in various human and monkey cell lines but not in bovine, porcine, mouse, or chick cells.
- The Drilon strain was serologically distinct from known enterovirus types.
- Antibodies against the Drilon strain were found in Filipinos and Indonesians, but not Japanese populations.
Conclusions:
- The Drilon strain exhibits characteristics consistent with a human enterovirus.
- It is serologically unique and a potential candidate for designation as a new enterovirus type.