Standardized Phylogenetic Classification of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus below the Subgroup Level.

A globally implemented unified phylogenetic classification for human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) below the subgroup level remains elusive. We formulated global consensus of HRSV classification on the basis of the challenges and limitations of our previous proposals and the future of genomic surveillance. From a high-quality curated dataset of 1,480 HRSV-A and 1,385 HRSV-B genomes submitted to GenBank and GISAID (https://www.

Results from the second WHO external quality assessment for the molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus, 2019-2020.

Background: External quality assessments (EQAs) for the molecular detection of human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are necessary to ensure the standardisation of reliable results. The Phase II, 2019-2020 World Health Organization (WHO) RSV EQA included 28 laboratories in 26 countries. The EQA panel evaluated performance in the molecular detection and subtyping of RSV-A and RSV-B.

Next-generation sequencing of human respiratory syncytial virus subgroups A and B genomes.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory illness in young children worldwide. Whole genome sequencing of HRSV offers enhanced resolution of strain variability for epidemiological surveillance and provides genomic information essential for antiviral and vaccine development. A 10-amplicon one-step RT-PCR assay and a 20-amplicon nested RT-PCR assay with enhanced sensitivity were developed to amplify whole HRSV genomes from samples containing high and low viral loads, respectively.

Proposal for Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Nomenclature below the Species Level.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the leading viral cause of serious pediatric respiratory disease, and lifelong reinfections are common. Its 2 major subgroups, A and B, exhibit some antigenic variability, enabling HRSV to circulate annually. Globally, research has increased the number of HRSV genomic sequences available.

A Respiratory Syncytial Virus Attachment Gene Variant Associated with More Severe Disease in Infants Decreases Fusion Protein Expression, Which May Facilitate Immune Evasion.

This study identified a genotype of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) associated with increased acute respiratory disease severity in a cohort of previously healthy term infants. The genotype (2stop+A4G) consists of two components. The A4G component is a prevalent point mutation in the 4th position of the gene end transcription termination signal of the G gene of currently circulating RSV strains.

Results from the WHO external quality assessment for the respiratory syncytial virus pilot, 2016-17.

Background: External quality assessments (EQAs) for the molecular detection of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are necessary to ensure the provision of reliable and accurate results. One of the objectives of the pilot of the World Health Organization (WHO) Global RSV Surveillance, 2016-2017, was to evaluate and standardize RSV molecular tests used by participating countries. This paper describes the first WHO RSV EQA for the molecular detection of RSV.

Multiple Respiratory Syncytial Virus Introductions Into a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Background: Outbreaks of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are of concern because of the risk of severe disease in young infants. We describe an outbreak of RSV in a NICU and use whole genome sequencing (WGS) to better understand the relatedness of viruses among patients.

Methods: An investigation was conducted to identify patients and describe their clinical course.

Severe Human Metapneumovirus and Group A Streptococcus Pneumonia in an Immunocompetent Adult.

An immunocompetent adult with asthma developed severe human metapneumovirus (HMPV) illness complicated by group A Streptococcus coinfection, progressing to acute respiratory distress syndrome and shock. Several coworkers had less severe HMPV infection. HMPV can cause severe respiratory illness in healthy adults and should be considered as a potential cause of community respiratory outbreaks.

Duplex real-time RT-PCR assay for detection and subgroup-specific identification of human respiratory syncytial virus.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a leading cause of acute respiratory illness in young children worldwide. Reliable detection and identification of HRSV subgroup A and B infections are essential for accurate disease burden estimates in anticipation of licensure of novel HRSV vaccines and immunotherapies. To ensure continued reliability, molecular assays must remain current with evolving virus strains.

Severe Respiratory Illness Associated with Human Metapneumovirus in Nursing Home, New Mexico, USA.

Human metapneumovirus is an emerging pathogen that causes upper and lower respiratory illness. Nursing home outbreaks of infection with this virus can cause severe illness and lead to poor patient outcomes. We report an outbreak investigation in a nursing home during 2018 and infection control guidelines to assist in disease control.

Transcriptional adaptation of pneumococci and human pharyngeal cells in the presence of a virus infection.

Background: Viral upper respiratory tract infections are associated with increased colonization by Streptococcus pneumoniae but the mechanisms underlying this relationship are unclear. The objective of this study is to describe a comprehensive picture of the cellular interaction between the adhering bacteria and host cells in the presence or absence of a viral co-infection.

Results: Gene expression profiles of Detroit-562 pharyngeal cells, which were either mock-infected or infected with human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) or human parainfluenza virus 3 (HPIV3), were analyzed using human microarrays.

Cell culture and electron microscopy for identifying viruses in diseases of unknown cause.

During outbreaks of infectious diseases or in cases of severely ill patients, it is imperative to identify the causative agent. This report describes several events in which virus isolation and identification by electron microscopy were critical to initial recognition of the etiologic agent, which was further analyzed by additional laboratory diagnostic assays. Examples include severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus, and Nipah, lymphocytic choriomeningitis, West Nile, Cache Valley, and Heartland viruses.

Hospitalization due to human parainfluenza virus-associated lower respiratory tract illness in rural Thailand.

Background: Human parainfluenza viruses (HPIVs) are an important cause of acute respiratory illness in young children but little is known about their epidemiology in the tropics.

Methods: From 2003-2007, we conducted surveillance for hospitalized respiratory illness in rural Thailand. We performed reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction on nasopharyngeal specimens and enzyme immunoassay on paired sera.

The burden of hospitalized lower respiratory tract infection due to respiratory syncytial virus in rural Thailand.

Background: We describe the epidemiology of hospitalized RSV infections for all age groups from population-based surveillance in two rural provinces in Thailand.

Methods: From September 1, 2003 through December 31, 2007, we enrolled hospitalized patients with acute lower respiratory tract illness, who had a chest radiograph ordered by the physician, from all hospitals in SaKaeo and Nakhom Phanom Provinces. We tested nasopharyngeal specimens for RSV with reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assays and paired-sera from a subset of patients with IgG enzyme immunoassay.

Human bocavirus species 2 and 3 in Brazil.

Background: The newly described human bocavirus (HBoV) species 2 and 3 have been repeatedly detected in stool strengthening the possibility that these viruses might present a tropism for the gastrointestinal tract and may be etiological agents of diarrhea.

Objective: In this study we assessed the presence of HBoV2 and HBoV3 in stool specimens from Brazilians with acute gastroenteritis.

Study Design: Stool samples from Brazilian patients with acute diarrhea were analyzed for HBoV2 and HBoV3 by PCR assay.

Control of an outbreak of human parainfluenza virus 3 in hematopoietic stem cell transplant recipients.

Human parainfluenza virus 3 (HPIV3) infection can cause significant morbidity and mortality in patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). There are no standard guidelines for the prevention and control of HPIV3 in the outpatient setting. After 2 HSCT inpatients diagnosed with HPIV3 were noted to have had multiple recent HSCT outpatient clinic (OPC) visits, an investigation of policy and procedures in the HSCT OPC was undertaken, and active surveillance for respiratory viral illness was instituted in the at-risk HSCT population.

Positive selection results in frequent reversible amino acid replacements in the G protein gene of human respiratory syncytial virus.

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the major cause of lower respiratory tract infections in children under 5 years of age and the elderly, causing annual disease outbreaks during the fall and winter. Multiple lineages of the HRSVA and HRSVB serotypes co-circulate within a single outbreak and display a strongly temporal pattern of genetic variation, with a replacement of dominant genotypes occurring during consecutive years. In the present study we utilized phylogenetic methods to detect and map sites subject to adaptive evolution in the G protein of HRSVA and HRSVB.

Who gets hospitalized for influenza pneumonia in Thailand? Implications for vaccine policy.

Risk factor information for severe complications of interpandemic influenza is needed to inform vaccine policy in Thailand. We identified patients with lab-confirmed influenza who were hospitalized with pneumonia during September 2003 to August 2004. Among the 80 case-patients identified through a population-based pneumonia surveillance system in eastern Thailand, cases were 6.

Human bocavirus: a novel parvovirus epidemiologically associated with pneumonia requiring hospitalization in Thailand.

Background: We detected human bocavirus (HBoV) infection in 4.5% of hospitalized patients with pneumonia in rural Thailand. However, the role of HBoV as a pathogen is unclear.

Clinical impact of community-acquired respiratory viruses on bronchiolitis obliterans after lung transplant.

Community-acquired viral respiratory tract infections (RTI) in lung transplant recipients may have a high rate of progression to pneumonia and can be a trigger for immunologically mediated detrimental effects on lung function. A cohort of 100 patients was enrolled from 2001 to 2003 in which 50 patients had clinically diagnosed viral RTI and 50 were asymptomatic. All patients had nasopharyngeal and throat swabs taken for respiratory virus antigen detection, culture and RT-PCR.

Detection of human metapneumovirus in clinical samples by immunofluorescence staining of shell vial centrifugation cultures prepared from three different cell lines.

Monoclonal antibody MAb-8 was evaluated for detection of human metapneumovirus (HMPV) in shell vial centrifugation cultures (SVCC). Detection of HMPV was similar in A549, HEp-2, and LLC-MK2 SVCC, and MAb-8 staining was optimal on day 2 postinoculation. Availability of SVCC for HMPV will be of significant benefit to clinical laboratories.