Phylogenetic analysis of human bocavirus isolated from children with acute respiratory illnesses and gastroenteritis in Iran

Abstract

Human bocavirus (hBoV) was first discovered in respiratory samples from children in 2005, and has been classified in the Parvoviridae family. hBoV has also been detected in children with acute gastroenteritis. This study was performed to analyze the frequency and phylogeny of hBoV in the respiratory and stool samples of children with acute respiratory tract illnesses and gastroenteritis during the time period beginning 2006 and ending 2008, at the Virology Research Centre, Masih Daneshvari Hospital, NRITLD, Tehran, Iran. Respiratory and stool samples were screened for hBoV by nested polymerase chain reaction with primers from the NS-1 gene. Nine out of 133 respiratory samples (6.8%) and 6 out of 47 stool samples (12.8%) were positive for hBoV. Ten positive samples (7 respiratory and 3 stool samples) were subjected to phylogenetic analysis by sequencing a fragment of the VP1/VP2 gene junction. The results showed a high similarity among isolates (≥99%). It was found that hBoV isolates can be divided into 3 genetic groups.

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the staff of the Virology Laboratory and Paediatric Department at Masih Daneshvari Hospital for their kind cooperation. We would also like to thank Dr Reza Kiasalar for reviewing the manuscript and his helpful comments. This study was financially supported by the Virology Research Centre, Academic Pivot for Education and Research, National Research Institute for Tuberculosis and Lung Disease, grant number V-88–101.

Declaration of interest: None of the authors has a conflict of interest.