ABSTRACT
Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is one of the most common viral aetiological agents in the youngest population. In the present study a novel HRSV-B BA genotype is first described based on the phylogenetic analysis of the coding hypervariable region 2 sequences of G protein from strains detected during the 2014-2015 season. Among all strains detected in the last season, 44% belonged to this new genotype. Therefore, it highlights the importance of a continuous HRSV surveillance to monitor the emergence and spread of new genotypes or variants with genetic changes that may affect antigenic and tropism features.
Subject(s)
Genotype , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/epidemiology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus Infections/virology , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/classification , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/isolation & purification , Humans , Molecular Epidemiology , Phylogeny , Respiratory Syncytial Virus, Human/genetics , Sequence Analysis, DNA , Spain/epidemiology , Viral Envelope Proteins/geneticsABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the prevalence of Chlamydia trachomatis (CT), Neisseria gonorrhoeae (NG), and HIV-1 infections in female street prostitutes and STI clinic attendees in Barcelona. DESIGN: This was a prospective study carried out in two four-month periods over two years. Urine specimens were tested for CT and NG using a PCR pooling algorithm. Among street prostitutes HIV-1 testing in urine was also carried out. RESULTS: The prevalences of CT, NG, and HIV-1 in female street prostitutes (n=301) were 4.7%, 3.7%, and 1.0%, respectively. Women from Eastern Europe had the highest prevalence of CT (p=0.01). Prevalences of CT, NG, and HIV-1 among all clinic attendees (n=536) were 4.3%, 4.5%, and 4.4%, respectively. Prevalence of HIV-1 infection among homosexual men was higher compared with heterosexual men and women (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Overall CT prevalence is currently lower than in other European countries, although it could increase as a result of immigration. Rates of HIV-1 and of NG are higher among homosexual than among heterosexual men.