Molecular characterization of environmental and clinical echovirus 6 isolates from Poland, 2006-2014.

The aim of this study was to investigate the genetic variability of echovirus 6 (E6) isolates from environmental samples and clinical cases of aseptic meningitis from 2006 to 2014. The analysis of the VP1 region showed the extensive diversity (up to 18.8%) and revealed that E6 circulating in Poland belong to four groups. Environmental strains clustered in three groups excepting the 2012 outbreak group, which shows the sudden introduction of new epidemic variant with Asiatic origin. Data from the study established relationships of E6 from Poland with previously characterized strains and confirmed the importance of both clinical and environmental surveillance. J. Med. Virol. 89:936-940, 2017. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.