Antigenic diversity of respiratory syncytial virus subgroup B strains circulating during a community outbreak of infection

✍ Scribed by Gordana Mlinaric-Galinovic; MD Tasnee Chonmaitree; Patricia A. Cane; Craig R. Pringle; Pearay L. Ogra

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1994
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 568 KB
• Volume: 42
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0146-6615
• DOI: 10.1002/jmv.1890420410

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

The epidemiological characteristics and relationship between respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) subgroup and virulence during an outbreak of RSV infection occurring in Southeast Texas in the winter season 1991/92 are described. Fiftytwo infants and children were diagnosed with RSV infection by rapid viral antigen detection and/or viral isolation. Subgrouping of the isolates was carried out using 11‐monoclonal antibodies. Ten isolates were found to be subgroup B, and 8 isolates were subgroup A. The subgroup B strains showed 3 different patterns of reaction with monoclonal antibodies; one of these subgroups was examined further by restriction analysis of parts of its nucleocapsid and attachment protein genes. The peak of RSV outbreak was in December 1991. Both subtypes A and B circulated simultaneously in the same territory, and caused lower respiratory tract infections in similar proportions. The more frequent occurrence of the B subgroup and the diversity of its simultaneously circulated RSV strains have made this outbreak unusual. © 1994 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.