Sequence comparison of echovirus type 30 isolates to other enteroviruses in the 5'noncoding region

The genetic relationship between echovirus type 30 (E30) isolates were characterised by means of amplification of a part of the 5'noncoding region by polymerase chain reaction and direct sequencing. Later, the E30 sequences were compared with other enteroviruses. Homology between recent clinical E30 isolates from different years exceeds 98% at the nucleotide level. Comparing the E30 sequence with other enteroviruses, homology varied between 68% (coxsackievirus A24) and 93% (coxsackievirus B3). E30 appeared to have coxsackie B-like characteristics in this genomic part. It is considered that E30 and coxsackie B viruses belong to the same enterovirus subgroup.