Identification of deletion mutant respiratory syncytial virus strains lacking most of the G protein in immunocompromised children with pneumonia in South Africa

J Virol. 2011 Aug;85(16):8453-7. doi: 10.1128/JVI.00674-11. Epub 2011 Jun 15.

Abstract

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) G protein deletion mutants replicate effectively in vitro but have not been detected in nature. Subtyping of RSV strains in hospitalized children in South Africa identified G protein PCR amplicons significantly reduced in size in 2 out of 209 clinical specimens screened over 4 years. Sequence analysis revealed subtype B strains lacking nearly the entire G protein ectodomain in one HIV-positive and one HIV-exposed child hospitalized with pneumonia. The association of clinical strains lacking most of the G protein with lower respiratory tract infection in immunocompromised children may have implications for RSV vaccine development.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes / immunology
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Humans
  • Immunocompromised Host
  • Infant
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Pneumonia, Viral / immunology
  • Pneumonia, Viral / virology*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • RNA, Viral / genetics
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / immunology
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections / virology*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / genetics*
  • Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human / growth & development
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Deletion*
  • South Africa
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / chemistry
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / genetics*
  • Viral Fusion Proteins / immunology

Substances

  • G glycoprotein, Respiratory syncytial virus
  • RNA, Viral
  • Viral Fusion Proteins

Associated data

  • GENBANK/HQ711840
  • GENBANK/HQ711841
  • GENBANK/HQ711842
  • GENBANK/JF704213
  • GENBANK/JF704214
  • GENBANK/JF704215
  • GENBANK/JF704216
  • GENBANK/JF704217
  • GENBANK/JF704218
  • GENBANK/JF704219