Vol. 68, No. 3, Jun 2010: 194-199

Molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus in Iranian children less than 5 years in 2007: a study on 72 cases

Received: March 13, 2010    Accepted: May 29, 2010

Ebrahim Faghihloo M.Sc.1
Farhad Rezaie Ph.D. Student1
Vahid Salimi Ph.D. Student1
Maryam Naseri M.Sc.1
Setare Mamishi M.D.2
Mahmood Mahmoodi Ph.D.3
Talat Mokhtari-Azad Ph.D.1*

1- Department of Virology, School of Public Health
2- Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Disease Research Center, Children’s Medical Center
3- Department of Biostatic and Epidemiology, School of Public Health

Tehran University of Medical Sciences

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the most important viral agent of acute lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children worldwide. This virus is responsible for 50% brochiolitis and 25% pneumonia in infants. There are limited data of molecular epidemiology of HRSV from developing countries. This is the report on the molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus in Iran.

Methods: In this study, RT-PCR for second hypervariable region of the HRSV G glycoprotein was performed on 72 throat swabs collected from children less than 5 years of age with acute respiratory symptoms in 1386.

Results: Of the 72 throat swabs collected from children with acute respiratory symptoms, 14 (19.44%) were positive for HRSV. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that all HRSV-positive samples clustered in three genotypes of subgroup A: 12 strains (85/71%) in genotype GA2, 1 strain (7/1%) in genotype GA1, and 1 strain (7/1%) in genotype GA5. In this study we couldn’t identify any genotype of subgroup B.

Conclusion: Our results revealed that multiple genotypes of subgroup A were co-circulated during 1386 in children less than 5 years of age in Iran. Also this study revealed that genotype GA2 was predominant genotype in isolates were obtained from several cities (Tehran, Isfahan, Karaj, Qazvin, Bandar Abbas, Shahreza), so we speculate that this genotype may be predominant during 1386 in Iran. This study supported that RT-PCR for second variable region of G protein is an effective method for further studies of HRSV genotype designation in Iran.

Keywords: Human respiratory syncytial virus, molecular epidemiology, children, Iran.

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