Results of genotyping of the Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever virus circulating in Southern Kazakhstan

• Published in: International journal of infectious diseases 2022-03, Vol.116, p.S121-S121
• Main Authors: Abuova, G., Karan, L., Pshenichnaya, N., Berdalieva, F., Khodzhabekov, B., Polukchi, T.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1201-9712; 1878-3511
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijid.2021.12.286

To establish for the first time the genotypes of the CCHF virus circulating in Southern Kazakhstan-the Turkestan region and the Shymkent city. Were studied the 12 blood sera from patients with CCHF, the diagnosis of which was confirmed by the detection of specific IgM immunoglobulins to the virus. The isolation of viral RNA was carried out using a MAGNO-sorb kit (Central Research Institute of Epidemiology, Moscow, Russia) from 300-500 ml of serum, CCHFV RNA detection - with the Amplisens kit CCHFV-FL (Moscow) by real-time PCR on the Rotor Gene Q device (Qiagen, Germany), reverse transcription reaction-with the Reverta-L kit (Moscow). The southern regions of Kazakhstan are endemic for the spread of the Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). The causative agent of CCHF has several different genotypes with predominant geographical distribution areas. Previously, a phylogenetic analysis of the S-segment strains of the virus identified 6-7 groups, depending on the geographical location in the world. Thus, West Africa belongs to group I, Central Africa-to group II, South and West Africa - to group III, the Middle East and Asia (Asia-1 and Asia-2) - to group IV, Europe and Turkey - to group V and Greece - to group VI. The RNA of the CCHF virus was detected in 10 serum samples out of 12 studied. Viral RNA concentrations ranged from 30 to 107 copies /ml. For samples with a viral RNA concentration above 104 copies /ml, sections of the S and M segments of the virus were sequenced. A comparative analysis of the obtained sequences with the genomes of the CCHF virus from the GenBank database, conducted in the MEGA X program using the algorithm, showed that the isolates from Kazakhstan belong to the genetic groups Asia-1 and Asia-2. For the first time, a phylogenetic analysis of the RNA sequences of the virus from patients with Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever in Southern Kazakhstan was carried out, as a result of which the genetic groups Asia-1 and Asia-2 established.