Molecular Evolution of Attachment Glycoprotein (G) and Fusion Protein (F) Genes of Respiratory Syncytial Virus ON1 and BA9 Strains in Xiamen, China

• DOI: 10.1128/spectrum.02083-21
• Publication Date: 2022-03-21T13:01:50Z
• Authors: Yong-Peng Sun; Si-Yu Lei; Ying-Bin Wang; Yi-Zhen Wang; Hong-Sheng Qiang; Yi-Fan Yin; Ze-Min Jiang; Min Zhu; Xiao-Li Chen; Hui-Ming Ye; Zi-Zheng Zheng; Ning-Shao Xia
• Keywords: Antigenicity; Viral evolution; Antigenic variation; Molecular evolution

Monitoring viral transmission and analyzing the genetic diversity of a virus are imperative to better understand its evolutionary history mechanism driving evolution spread. Especially, effective monitoring key antigenic mutations immune escape variants caused by these has great scientific importance. Thus, further molecular dynamics respiratory syncytial (RSV) circulating in China, we analyzed nasopharyngeal swab specimens derived from hospitalized children ≤5 years old with acute tract infections (ARIs) Xiamen during 2016 2019. We found that infants under 6 months age (52.0%) were main population RSV infection. The prevalent pattern "BBAA" was observed epidemic seasons. ON1 BA9 genotypes dominant strains Xiamen. Interestingly, four Xiamen-specific amino acid substitution combinations G protein several primarily occurring at sites Ø V F protein. Our analyses suggest introduction new viruses local shaping diversification This study provides insights on spread global scales. IMPORTANCE genes helps us find novel genotypes, affecting antigenicity, or neutralizing antibody-resistant produced natural evolution. In this study, Xiamen, China. These data provide could inform development control measures for infections.