A Study of Human Respiratory Syncytial Virus Genotypes in Children Less Than 5 Years of Age with Acute Respiratory Symptoms in 2007 and 2009

Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is the most important viral agent of acute respiratory infection in children less than 5 years age worldwide. HRSV is responsible for 50% brochiolitis and 25% pneumonia in infants. There are limited data of HRSV genotypes from developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate HRSV genotypes in 2007 and 2009 in Iran. 72 and 107 respiratory samples were collected from children less than 5 years of age with acute respiratory infection in 2007and 2009, respectively, whom were tested for G glycoprotein gene of HRSV by RT-PCR. Of the 72 respiratory samples tested in 2007, 14 samples (19,44%) were positive for HRSV and fell on three genotypes: 12 strains in GA2, 1 strain in GA1, and 1strain in GA5. Whereas, of the 107 respiratory samples tested in 2009, 24 samples (22,24%) were positive that 16 (67%) belonged to subgroup A genotypes: 15 strains in GA1, and 1Strain in GA2, whereas, 8 (33%) clustered in genotype BA in subgroup B.Discussion & This study revealed that multiple genotypes of HRSV were cocirculated on years 2007 and 2009 in Iran. Also our results showed that subgroup A strains were more prevalent than subgroup B viruses, GA2 and GA1 genotypes were predominant genotypes on years 2007 and 2009, respectively.