Genetic diversity of human enterovirus 68 strains isolated in Kenya using the hypervariable 3'-end of VP1 gene.

ABSTRACT: Reports of increasing worldwide circulation of human enterovirus-68 (EV68) are well documented. Despite health concerns posed by resurgence of these viruses, little is known about EV68 strains circulating in Kenya. In this study, we characterized 13 EV68 strains isolated in Kenya between 2008 and 2011 based on the Hypervariable 3'-end of the VP1 gene. Viral RNA was extracted from the isolates and partial VP1 gene amplified by RT-PCR, followed by nucleotide sequencing. Alignment of deduced amino acid sequences revealed substitutions in Kenyan EV68 isolates absent in the prototype reference strain (Fermon). The majority of these changes were present in the BC and DE-loop regions, which are associated with viral antigenicity and virulence. The Kenyan strains exhibited high sequence homology w

SUBMITTER: Opanda SM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4108357 | biostudies-literature | 2014

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature