Molecular Epidemiology of Wild Poliovirus Type 1 in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian Subcontinent

• Published in: The Journal of infectious diseases Vol. 171; no. 6; pp. 1399 - 1405
• Main Authors: Mulders, Mick N., Lipskaya, Galina Y., van der Avoort, Harrie G. A. M., Koopmans, Marion P. G., Kew, Olen M., van Loon, Anton M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Chicago, IL The University of Chicago Press 01.06.1995; University of Chicago Press
• Subjects: Base Sequence; Biological and medical sciences; DNA Primers - chemistry; Epidemiology; Europe; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; Genotypes; India; Major Articles; Microbiology; Middle East; Molecular epidemiology; Molecular Sequence Data; Phylogeny; Poliomyelitis; Poliomyelitis - epidemiology; Poliovirus; Poliovirus - genetics; poliovirus 1; Polymerase chain reaction; RNA, Viral - genetics; Sequence Homology, Nucleic Acid; Sequencing; Tropical medicine; Vaccination; Virology; Viruses; Asia; Europe; Middle east; India; Middle East; Virus; Genetic variability; Picornaviridae; Pathogen strain; Molecular epidemiology; Exploration; Genotype; Enterovirus; Serotype; Poliovirus 1
• DOI: 10.1093/infdis/171.6.1399
• ISSN: 0022-1899

The genomic relationships of wild poliovirus type 1 strains recently isolated in Europe, the Middle East, and the Indian subcontinent was analyzed by automated amplicon sequencing of the VPl/2A junction region of the genome. Four major genotypes of poliovirus type 1 were found to circulate. Two genotypes were found predominantly in Eastern Europe, one of these in the Caucasian Region and the other in countries bordering the Black Sea. A third genotype circulated mainly in Egypt. The fourth and largest genotype circulated in the largest geographic area. Strains belonging to this genotype could be found in countries as far apart as Malaysia and Ukraine. Considerable genetic variation was observed among strains isolated in Egypt, Pakistan, and India, where poliovirus is endemic. Strains belonging to all four genotypes circulated in Pakistan. Data confirm the extent of poliovirus circulation in certain regions, stressing the need for intensification of vaccination in these regions.