Open AccessIdentification of group B respiratory syncytial viruses that lack the 60‐nucleotide duplication after six consecutive epidemics of total BA dominance at coastal K enya
Author(s) -
Agoti Charles N.,
Gitahi Caroline W.,
Medley Graham F.,
Cane Patricia A.,
Nokes D. James
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
influenza and other respiratory viruses
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.743
H-Index - 57
eISSN - 1750-2659
pISSN - 1750-2640
DOI - 10.1111/irv.12131
Subject(s) - biology , microbiology and biotechnology
Respiratory syncytial virus BA genotype has reportedly replaced other group B genotypes worldwide. We report the observation of three group B viruses, all identical in G sequence but lacking the BA duplication, at a coastal district hospital in K enya in early 2012. This follows a period of six consecutive respiratory syncytial virus ( RSV ) epidemics with 100% BA dominance among group B isolates. The new strains appear only distantly related to BA variants and to previously circulating SAB 1 viruses last seen in the district in 2005, suggesting that they were circulating elsewhere undetected. These results are of relevance to an understanding of RSV persistence.