Description of respiratory syncytial virus genotypes circulating in Colombia

Viviana Avila,Eliana Calvo,Juliana Barbosa,Jaime E Castellanos,Myriam L Velandia-Romero

doi:10.3855/jidc.9965

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute respiratory infections in children younger than two years but also produces infection in older children and even reinfection in people of any age, a characteristic related to the existence of different infecting subtypes and genotypes. Although Colombia has established the surveillance of classical respiratory viruses, there is no information about the RSV genotypes circulating in Colombian patients. A subgroup of 227 previously RSV positive respiratory secretion samples were taken from a nationwide surveillance study, amplified and sequenced to define the circulation pattern of RSV subtypes and genotypes during 2000-2009 period in Colombia. RSV exhibited seasonal behavior with an A subtype more prevalent. Both RSV subtypes had low nucleotide variability. During the study period, the GA2 and GA5 genotypes from RSV subtype A and the BA genotype from RSV subtype B were found. In this report, for the first time RSV genotypes circulating in Colombia were described, this information adds valuable information about virus epidemiology helping to understand the RSV epidemic and prepare our country for the introduction of new vaccines.

Highlights

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute respiratory infections in children younger than two years and produces infection in older children and even reinfection in people of any age, a characteristic related to the existence of different infecting subtypes and genotypes
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of mild and severe respiratory infections in children younger than two years; the use of confirmatory laboratory diagnostic is infrequent, which leads to inadequate attention and antibiotic use and wider spreading of annual outbreaks [1]
The RSV A subtype was detected in all departments, but the B subtype was not detected in the Huila and Guaviare departments

Summary

Introduction

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of acute respiratory infections in children younger than two years and produces infection in older children and even reinfection in people of any age, a characteristic related to the existence of different infecting subtypes and genotypes. Methodology: A subgroup of 227 previously RSV positive respiratory secretion samples were taken from a nationwide surveillance study, amplified and sequenced to define the circulation pattern of RSV subtypes and genotypes during 2000-2009 period in Colombia. Subtypes A and B have 53% identity in the G protein gene, but this identity is approximately 80% among genotypes of subtype A and 91% among genotypes of subtype B [9,10] It is unclear whether strain variations can be involved in reinfections or immune escape, and the importance of these genotypes in the development of a vaccine remains uncertain

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Discussion

Conclusion