Gao Xiujie, Zou Rong, Zhou Weiqin, Zhao Hongxia, Lu Cuiling, Tian Jia, Hao Jindou, Tang Powei, Wu Kai, Zhang Yu, Yuan Xiang, Yang Chao, Liu Peihui
School of Basic Medical Sciences, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou, China.
Department of Pharmacy, Shenzhen Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital, Southern Medical University, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China.
Infect Genet Evol. 2025 Aug;132:105775. doi: 10.1016/j.meegid.2025.105775. Epub 2025 May 28.
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is an important cause of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in children, with recent outbreaks increasing the global burden. The 2021 season saw a significant increase in cases from June to August, possibly due to COVID-19 control measures. The RSV-G region contributes to significant strain variation that can lead to severe epidemics. Understanding the impact of RSV genetic diversity on epidemics and disease severity is critical for prevention and management. This study aimed to investigate the genomic characteristics of RSV-G and provide insights for vaccine development and RSV control.
Seventy-four hospitalized ARI cases were identified from May to July 2021. Nasopharyngeal swab samples were collected for RSV-A and RSV-B detection by RT-qPCR. G-gene amplification, sequencing, and alignment were performed for genetic analysis. Phylogenetic trees were constructed, and whole genome sequencing was performed.
Of the 74 cases, 35.1 % were infants under 1 year old, and 6.76 % were severe RSV infections. RSVA accounted for 56.76 % of cases, while RSVB accounted for 43.24 %. Unique mutations were observed, possibly related to epidemic trends and disease severity. Phylogenetic analysis revealed significant differences from reference strains, particularly in a unique combination of three amino acid sites in the RSV-A G protein associated with disease severity.
This study provides insights into the genetic diversity of RSV during the 2021 off-season epidemic in Shenzhen and reveals the emergence of a new phylogenetic sublineage. Understanding the genetic diversity of RSV is critical for developing effective vaccines and controlling RSV outbreaks.
呼吸道合胞病毒（RSV）是儿童急性呼吸道感染（ARI）的重要病因，近期的疫情爆发增加了全球负担。2021年6月至8月病例显著增加，可能与新冠疫情防控措施有关。RSV-G区域导致显著的毒株变异，可引发严重疫情。了解RSV基因多样性对疫情和疾病严重程度的影响对于预防和管理至关重要。本研究旨在调查RSV-G的基因组特征，并为疫苗开发和RSV防控提供见解。
从2021年5月至7月确定了74例住院的ARI病例。采集鼻咽拭子样本，通过RT-qPCR检测RSV-A和RSV-B。进行G基因扩增、测序和比对以进行基因分析。构建系统发育树并进行全基因组测序。
74例病例中，35.1%为1岁以下婴儿，6.76%为严重RSV感染。RSV-A占病例的56.76%，而RSV-B占43.24%。观察到独特的突变，可能与疫情趋势和疾病严重程度有关。系统发育分析显示与参考毒株存在显著差异，特别是在与疾病严重程度相关的RSV-A G蛋白的三个氨基酸位点的独特组合中。
本研究为深圳2021年非流行季疫情期间RSV的基因多样性提供了见解，并揭示了一个新的系统发育亚谱系的出现。了解RSV的基因多样性对于开发有效的疫苗和控制RSV疫情至关重要。
