A novel 111‐nucleotide duplication in the G gene of human metapneumovirus

Abstract

In 2017, novel human metapneumovirus (HMPV) A2b subgroup strains with a 111-nucleotide duplication in the G gene was detected by the present team. These strains were related to previously identified HMPV A2b strains with a 180-nucleotide duplication; however, they appeared to be different strains, produced by an independent duplication event. The recent evolution of HMPV suggests that careful monitoring of this virus is required.

Predominant Detection of the Subgroup A2b Human Metapneumovirus Strain with a 111-Nucleotide Duplication in the <i>G</i> gene in Yokohama City, Japan in 2018

“…Recently, unique variant HMPV strains possessing a 180-or 111-nucleotide duplication (nt-dup) in the G gene were detected in Japan, Spain, Vietnam, and China (GeneBank accession number MF462419.1) (8)(9)(10). These variants belong to the subgroup A2b and are called HMPV A2b180nt-dup and HMPV A2b111nt-dup, respectively (8,10). The present study reports surveillance data of HMPV strains detected in Yokohama City, Japan between 2013 and 2018.…”

“…Detailed phylogenetic analysis of HMPV strains shows two distinct lineages, A2a and A2b, in the subgroup A2 (7). Recently, unique variant HMPV strains possessing a 180-or 111-nucleotide duplication (nt-dup) in the G gene were detected in Japan, Spain, Vietnam, and China (GeneBank accession number MF462419.1) (8)(9)(10). These variants belong to the subgroup A2b and are called HMPV A2b180nt-dup and HMPV A2b111nt-dup, respectively (8,10).…”

“…were collected from patients with acute upper or lower respiratory tract infections in Yokohama City. The collected samples were tested for HMPV by RT-PCR as previously described (10). The samples positive for HMPV were further analyzed, and the nucleotide sequence of the HMPV G gene was determined as previously described (9).…”

“…Among the 69 HMPV subgroup A2b strains, 16 and 24 strains had the 180nt-dup and 111ntdup, respectively (Table 1). HMPV A2b111nt-dup strains were first detected in 2017 (10) and became the most prevalent strain in 2018 in Yokohama City (Table 1). In contrast, no HMPV A2b strain without the nt-dup (the classical HMPV A2b strain) was detected here after 2017.…”

Insights into immune evasion of human metapneumovirus: novel 180- and 111-nucleotide duplications within viral G gene throughout 2014-2017 seasons in Barcelona, Spain

“…Differently, G protein is weakly immunogenic [ 7 ], with 28% genetic divergence between genotypes and 74-82% intra-genotype [ 4 ]. In addition, 180- and 111-nucleotide duplications have been recently described into G protein’s ectodomain [ [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] ].…”