Genome Sequence of Vaccinia virus Strain Lister-Butantan, a Lister Vaccine Variant Used during a Smallpox Eradication Campaign in Brazil.

Felipe Assis,Yu Li,Jonatas Abrahão,Ginny Emerson,Giliane Trindade,Dhwani Batra,Scott Sammons,Mike Frace,Betânia Drumond,Darin Carroll,Erna Kroon

doi:10.1128/genomea.00536-16

Abstract

Here, we report the 187.8-kb genome sequence of Vaccinia virus Lister-Butantan, which was used in Brazil during the WHO smallpox eradication campaign. Its genome showed an average similarity of 98.18% with the original Lister isolate, highlighting the low divergence among related Vaccinia virus vaccine strains, even after several passages in animals and cell culture.

Highlights

Among strains used in the Smallpox Eradication Programme, Lister-derived strains were by far the most widely distributed around the world [1]
We report the genome sequence of vaccine Vaccinia virus strain Lister-Butantan (LBT), a strain largely used during the national smallpox eradication campaign in Brazil
Phylogenetic analysis based on the central conserved region of the genome (81 kbp) revealed that LBT is related to Vaccinia virus (VV) strain Lister, commonly used in Europe during the smallpox eradication program [6]

Summary

Introduction

Among strains used in the Smallpox Eradication Programme, Lister-derived strains were by far the most widely distributed around the world [1]. In Brazil, some laboratories received financial support for the development of freeze-dried vaccine production during earlier years of the national smallpox eradication campaign [1, 4]. We report the genome sequence of vaccine Vaccinia virus strain Lister-Butantan (LBT), a strain largely used during the national smallpox eradication campaign in Brazil.

Results

Conclusion