RNA recombination plays a major role in genomic change during circulation of coxsackie B viruses.

RNA recombination has been shown to occur during circulation of enteroviruses, but most studies have focused on poliovirus. To examine the role of recombination in the evolution of the coxsackie B viruses (CVB), we determined the partial sequences of four genomic intervals for multiple clinical isolates of each of the six CVB serotypes isolated from 1970 to 1996. The regions sequenced were the 5'-nontranslated region (5'-NTR) (350 nucleotides [nt]), capsid (VP4-VP2, 416 nt, and VP1, approximately 320 nt), and polymerase (3D, 491 nt). Phylogenetic trees were constructed for each genome region, using the clinical isolate sequences and those of the prototype strains of all 65 enterovirus serotypes. The partial VP1 sequences of each CVB serotype were monophyletic with respect to serotype, as were the VP4-VP2 sequences, in agreement with previously published studies. In some cases, however, incongruent tree topologies suggested that intraserotypic recombination had occurred between the sequenced portions of VP2 and VP1. Outside the capsid region, however, isolates of the same serotype were not monophyletic, indicating that recombination had occurred between the 5'-NTR and capsid, the capsid and 3D, or both. Almost all clinical isolates were recombinant relative to the prototype strain of the same serotype. All of the recombination partners appear to be members of human enterovirus species B. These results suggest that recombination is a frequent event during enterovirus evolution but that there are genetic restrictions that may influence recombinational compatibility.