Off-season circulation and characterization of enterovirus D68 with respiratory and neurological presentation using whole-genome sequencing

Hayley Cassidy, Erley Lizarazo-Forero, Leonard Schuele, Coretta Van Leer-Buter, Hubert G.M. Niesters*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)
78 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

To explore an off-season enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) upsurge in the winter season of 2019/2020, we adapted a whole-genome sequencing approach for Nanopore Sequencing for 20 hospitalized patients with accompanying respiratory or neurological presentation. Applying phylodynamic and evolutionary analysis on Nextstrain and Datamonkey respectively, we report a highly diverse virus with an evolutionary rate of 3.05 × 10−3 substitutions per year (entire EV-D68 genome) and a positive episodic/diversifying selection with persistent yet undetected circulation likely driving evolution. While the predominant B3 subclade was identified in 19 patients, one A2 subclade was identified in an infant presenting with meningitis. Exploring single nucleotide variations using CLC Genomics Server showed high levels of non-synonymous mutations, particularly in the surface proteins, possibly highlighting growing problems with routine Sanger sequencing for typing enteroviruses. Surveillance and molecular approaches to enhance current knowledge of infectious pathogens capable of pandemic potential are paramount to early warning in health care facilities.

Original languageEnglish
Article number1088770
Number of pages12
JournalFrontiers in Microbiology
Volume13
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 9-Feb-2023

Keywords

  • enterovirus D68
  • long-read sequencing
  • neurological infection
  • respiratory infection
  • whole-genome sequencing

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