Molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus and human metapneumovirus in hospitalized children with acute respiratory infections in Croatia, 2014–2017

• Published in: Infection, genetics and evolution genetics and evolution, 2019-12, Vol.76, p.104039-104039, Article 104039
• Main Authors: Jagusic, M., Slovic, A., Ivancic-Jelecki, J., Ljubin-Sternak, S., Vilibić-Čavlek, T., Tabain, I., Forcic, D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Child; Child, Preschool; Croatia - epidemiology; Drug Substitution; Epidemiology; Evolution; Evolution, Molecular; Female; Glycoprotein; Human metapneumovirus; Human respiratory syncytial virus; Humans; Infant; Male; Metapneumovirus - classification; Metapneumovirus - genetics; Metapneumovirus - isolation & purification; Molecular Epidemiology; Paramyxoviridae Infections - epidemiology; Phylogeny; Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections - epidemiology; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - classification; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - genetics; Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human - isolation & purification; Respiratory Tract Infections - virology; Small hydrophobic protein
• ISSN: 1567-1348; 1567-7257
• DOI: 10.1016/j.meegid.2019.104039

Acute respiratory infection (ARI) is the most common infection in children under 5 years of age and it is frequently caused by two pneumoviruses, human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) and human metapneumovirus (HMPV). Epidemic seasons of these viruses overlap and disease manifestations are highly similar, including severe lower ARI such as bronchiolitis or pneumonia. Reinfections with pneumoviruses are frequent and limited prevention treatment is available. Genetic diversity of HRSV and HMPV strains circulating in Croatia was monitored during four consecutive years (2014–2017). Co-circulation of multiple lineages was observed for both viruses. Within HRSV group A, ON1 strains gained strong predominance during the 4-year period, while previously dominant genotype NA1 was detected only sporadically. Similarly, newly occurring HMPV genotype A2c gained predominance over genotype A2b during this period, resulting in all infection in 2017 being caused by A2c. Along with phylogenetic analysis based on the commonly used fragments for detection and genotyping of these viruses, full length G and SH genes were also analysed. Evolutionary dynamics showed that inferred substitution rates of HRSV and HMPV are between 2.51 × 10−3 and 3.61 × 10−3 substitutions/site/year. This study established presence of recently described HMPV strains containing large duplications in the G gene in Croatia. Viruses with either of the two duplications belong to a subcluster A2c, which has completely replaced all other group A subclusters in 2017. •Diversity of HRSV and HMPV in Croatia, 2014–2017, is described.•Co-circulation of multiple lineages was observed for both viruses.•Recently described HMPV strains containing large duplications in the G gene were discovered in Croatia.