Circulation of a novel human respiratory syncytial virus Group B genotype during the 2014–2015 season in Catalonia (Spain)

• Published in: Clinical microbiology and infection Vol. 22; no. 1; pp. 97.e5 - 97.e8
• Main Authors: Gimferrer, L., Andrés, C., Campins, M., Codina, M.G., Rodrigo, J.A., Melendo, S., Martin, M.C., Fuentes, F., Saiz, M.R., Esperalba, J., Bruguera, A., Vilca, L.M., Armadans, L., Pumarola, T., Antón, A.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2016
• Subjects: Genotype; Genotypes; Humans; Molecular Epidemiology; Phylogeny; respiratory syncytial virus; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - virology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - classification; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - genetics; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - isolation & purification; respiratory infection; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Spain - epidemiology; surveillance; Viral Envelope Proteins - genetics; molecular epidemiology; surveillance; respiratory syncytial virus; Genotypes; respiratory infection
• ISSN: 1198-743X; 1469-0691
• DOI: 10.1016/j.cmi.2015.09.013

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is one of the most common viral aetiological agents in the youngest population. In the present study a novel HRSV-B BA genotype is first described based on the phylogenetic analysis of the coding hypervariable region 2 sequences of G protein from strains detected during the 2014–2015 season. Among all strains detected in the last season, 44% belonged to this new genotype. Therefore, it highlights the importance of a continuous HRSV surveillance to monitor the emergence and spread of new genotypes or variants with genetic changes that may affect antigenic and tropism features.