Epidemiology: Open Access
Open Access

Abstract

The study on the genetic molecular variability of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus (HRSV) is necessary to better
understand its molecular epidemiology. Twenty HRSV-B genotypes have been identified up to now, based on sequence
analysis of the second hypervariable region of G protein (HVR2). The genotype BA, first identified in 1998 in Buenos Aires,
has become the predominant HRSV-B worldwide. We investigate where the BA genotype emerged in Normandy, France and
the genetic variability of this genotype during 10 consecutives winter seasons, from 1995 to 2005. For all the HRSV-B included
in the study, the subgroup type was confirmed by real time RT-PCR. The BA strains were identified using the 60 nucleotides
duplication as a tag after RT-PCR amplification of the end of G-gene. After amplification of this region, a fragment of 330
nucleotides were sequenced and analyzed. Among the 605 HRSV-B included in the study, 94 HRSV-BA were identified. The
BA genotype emerged in November 1998. The intensity of circulation of this genotype in the first 5 seasons after the first
identification was low. The sequence of 330 nucleotides fragment was obtained for 87 of the 94 HRSV-BA identified. The
emergence of the HRSV BA genotype in France seems to come up in 1998-1999 winter season. During the 3 previous winter
seasons, no BA genotype was detected. Based on the results, the circulation of this genotype increased from 2003. To our
knowledge, there were no previous reports related to BA genotype in France.

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