Genetic diversity of human respiratory syncytial virus isolated among children with acute respiratory infections in Southern Cameroon during three consecutive epidemic seasons, 2011-2013.

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the main viral cause of severe lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children. The aim of this study was to describe for the first time the genetic variability of HRSV in Cameroonian patients living in Yaounde for three consecutive epidemic seasons.
Methods: HRSV-positive nasopharyngeal samples detected in children less than 15 years in Yaounde were collected from September 2011 to December 2013. Semi-nested RT-PCR, sequencing, and phylogenetic analyses of the second hypervariable region of the G gene were performed.
Results: A total of 57 HRSV-positive samples were collected during the study period. Among these, 46 (80.7%) could be amplified in the G gene. HRSV group A (HRSV-A) and group B (HRSV-B) co-circulated in this population at 17.4 and 82.6%, respectively. HRSV-A strains clustered in the NA-1 genotype while HRSV-B strains clustered in the BA-9 genotype. HRSV-A strains accounted for 33.3% (2/6), 4.3% (1/23), and 29.4% (5/17) of the viruses isolated in 2011, 2012, and 2013, respectively.
Conclusions: This study reports molecular epidemiology data of HRSV in Cameroon for the first time. Additional studies are required to clarify evolutionary patterns of HRSV throughout sub-Saharan Africa to support antiviral and vaccine development.
Competing Interests: Samples were submitted to the “Centre Pasteur du Cameroon” as part of influenza surveillance in Cameroon and the IMMI (Institut de Microbiologie et de Maladies Infectieuses) project. Written informed consent was obtained from the parents or guardians of all children enrolled in the study. The procedures of the original study were evaluated and approved by the National Ethics Committee and the Ministry of Public Health of Cameroon.Not applicableThe authors declare that they have no competing interests.Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.