The Role Of Molecular Genetic Analysis in Detection of Potential Importation of Enterovirus Infection in the Khabarovsk Region

Abstract

The unstable epidemiologic situation regarding enterovirus infection against the background of strong international interaction increases the risk of importation of the pathogens in the Russian Federation. The aim of the research was to evaluate the epidemiologic risks of importation of the enterovirus infection in the Khabarovsk region. Molecular epidemiologic analysis was performed for 481 samples obtained from sewage as well as clinical material from patients with enterovirus infection and exposed persons. The phylogenetic reconstruction was performed according with the Bayesian modeling approach. The molecular epidemiologic research has shown that in the Khabarovsk region enteroviruses of group B (Coxsackievirus B4, B5, ECHO 6, ECHO 9, ECHO 30) were dominant. The molecular-clock analysis used in order to evaluate evolutionary distances highlighted the epidemiologic connection between the cases of enterovirus infection diagnosed in the Khabarovsk region and other regions of the Russian Federation, China, Netherlands and India. The study revealed a potential risk of introduction of the following enteroviruses in the Khabarovsk region - Coxsackievirus B4, B5, ECHO 6, ECHO 9, ECHO 30 from countries of the Asian-Pacific Region, Europe and other regions of the Russian Federation.