Genetic characterization of Chikungunya virus from New Delhi reveal emergence of a new molecular signature in Indian isolates.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Chikungunya (CHIK) is currently endemic in South and Central India and exist as co-infections with dengue in Northern India. In 2010, New Delhi witnessed an outbreak of CHIK in the months October-December. This was the first incidence of a dominant CHIK outbreak in Delhi and prompted us to characterize the Delhi virus strains. We have also investigated the evolution of CHIK spread in India.

Findings

Clinical samples were subjected to RT-PCR to detect CHIK viral RNA. The PCR amplified products were sequenced and the resulting sequences were genetically analyzed. Phylogenetic analysis based on partial sequences of the structural proteins E1 and E2 revealed that the viruses in the latest outbreak exhibited ECSA lineage. Two novel mutations, E1 K211E and E2 V264A were

SUBMITTER: Shrinet J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3495852 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature