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Identification of Deletion Mutant Respiratory Syncytial Virus Strains Lacking Most of the G Protein in Immunocompromised Children with Pneumonia in South Africa

Year: 2011

Type: article

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.

Source: Journal of Virology

DOI: 10.1128/jvi.00674-11

Authors: Marietjie Venter, Stephanie van Niekerk, Andronica Rakgantso, Nicola Bent

Institutions: National Health Laboratory Service, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, University of Pretoria

Language: English

Topic: Respiratory viral infections research

Subfield: Epidemiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze

OpenAlex ID: W2132288243