Genetic characterization of enterovirus 71 isolated from patients with severe disease by comparative analysis of complete genomes

Shih Cheng Chang, Wen Chen Li, Guang Wu Chen, Kuo Chien Tsao, Chung Guei Huang, Yhu Chering Huang, Cheng Hsun Chiu, Chen Yen Kuo, Kun Nan Tsai, Shin Ru Shih, Tzou Yien Lin

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

56 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Enterovirus 71 (EV71) which causes mild illness in children is also associated with severe neurological complications. This study analyzed the complete genomes of EV71 strains derived from mild and severe diseases in order to determine whether the differences of EV71 genomes were responsible for different clinical presentations. Compared to complete genomes of EV71 strains derived from mild cases (less virulent strains), nucleotide differences in EV71 strains isolated from severe cases (more virulent strains) were observed primarily in the internal ribosomal entry site (IRES) of the 5′-untranslated region (UTR), which is vital for the cap-independent translation of viral proteins. In the protein-coding region, an E-Q substitution at amino acid position 145 of structural protein VP1 that occurred in more than one of more virulent strains was observed. This site is known to be related functionally to receptor binding and virulence in mice. Overall, strains (Group III) isolated from patients with fatal or severe sequelae outcomes had greater sequence substitutions in the 5′-UTR and/or protein-coding region and exhibited a relatively low-average homology to less virulent strains across the entire genome, indicating the possibility of significant genomic diversity in the most virulent EV71 strains. Further studies of EV71 pathogenesis should examine the significance of genomic diversity and the effects of multiple mutations in a viral population.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)931-939
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Medical Virology
Volume84
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jun 2012
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Diversity
  • EV71
  • IRES
  • Sequence
  • VP1-145

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Infectious Diseases
  • Virology

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