Abstract

Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses are leading causes of respiratory infections. To evaluate genotypic diversity and identify forces shaping picornavirus evolution, we screened persons with respiratory illnesses by using rhinovirus-specific or generic real-time PCR assays. We then sequenced the 5 untranslated region, capsid protein VP1, and protease precursor 3CD regions of virus-positive samples. Subsequent phylogenetic analysis identified the large genotypic diversity of rhinoviruses circulating in humans. We identified and completed the genome sequence of a new enterovirus genotype associated with respiratory symptoms and acute otitis media, confirming the close relationship between rhinoviruses and enteroviruses and the need to detect both viruses in respiratory specimens. Finally, we identified recombinants among circulating rhinoviruses and mapped their recombination sites, thereby demonstrating that rhinoviruses can recombine in their natural host. This study clarifies the diversity and explains the reasons for evolution of these viruses.

Highlights

  • Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses are leading causes of respiratory infections

  • Screening of Persons with Respiratory Tract Infections Persons enrolled in several cohorts of children and adults with respiratory infections (Table) were screened for picornavirus by culture isolation on human embryonic (HE) cell lines, real-time PCR specific for HRV-A and HRV-B [19], or by a panenterhino real-time PCR designed to theoretically detect all rhinoviruses and enteroviruses with publicly available sequences

  • Our genomic analysis of picornaviruses associated with upper or lower respiratory diseases in adults and children indicates that rhinoviruses circulating in the community are widely diverse

Read more

Summary

Introduction

Rhinoviruses and enteroviruses are leading causes of respiratory infections. To evaluate genotypic diversity and identify forces shaping picornavirus evolution, we screened persons with respiratory illnesses by using rhinovirus-specific or generic real-time PCR assays. Human rhinoviruses (HRVs) and enteroviruses (HEVs) are leading causes of infection in humans. These 2 picornaviruses share an identical genomic organization, have similar functional RNA secondary structures, and are classified within the same genus We screened a large number of persons with acute respiratory diseases by using assays designed to overcome the diversity of both rhinoviruses and enteroviruses circulating in humans. Our goals were 1) to characterize the diversity of circulating rhinoviruses and, to a lesser extent, enteroviruses, to identify putative new picornavirus variants, and 2) to assess whether recombination may drive HRV evolution, which has not been shown in natural human infections [18]

Objectives
Methods
Results
Conclusion
Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call