BACKGROUND: Two VZV glycoprotein E (gE D150N) mutant strains were collected in North America in 1995 and in 1999. We now report a novel VZV gE mutant virus discovered in Europe in two VZV strains collected in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1990 and 1999. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the two isolates identified among a total of 634 VZV isolates collected over a 15-year period at the Karolinska University Hospital. STUDY DESIGN: VZV genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and their sequences were compared to the genomic sequence of VZV-Dumas prototype strain. RESULTS: A mutation within the gE gene in an epitope recognized by the 3B3 monoclonal antibody was identified in both isolates. A different residue was changed (R152S) compared to the North American strains (D150N). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of a VZV gE mutant virus is unusual, but probably a recurring event in Europe and North America. It is unknown whether widespread varicella vaccination programs will alter the rate at which these mutant viruses are isolated.
BACKGROUND: Two VZV glycoprotein E (gE D150N) mutant strains were collected in North America in 1995 and in 1999. We now report a novel VZV gE mutant virus discovered in Europe in two VZV strains collected in Stockholm, Sweden, in 1990 and 1999. OBJECTIVES: To characterize the two isolates identified among a total of 634 VZV isolates collected over a 15-year period at the Karolinska University Hospital. STUDY DESIGN: VZV genes were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and their sequences were compared to the genomic sequence of VZV-Dumas prototype strain. RESULTS: A mutation within the gE gene in an epitope recognized by the 3B3 monoclonal antibody was identified in both isolates. A different residue was changed (R152S) compared to the North American strains (D150N). CONCLUSIONS: The occurrence of a VZV gE mutant virus is unusual, but probably a recurring event in Europe and North America. It is unknown whether widespread varicella vaccination programs will alter the rate at which these mutant viruses are isolated.
Authors: Jonas Schmidt-Chanasit; Karoline Bleymehl; Susanne G Schäd; Gerd Gross; Rainer G Ulrich; Hans Wilhelm Doerr Journal: J Clin Microbiol Date: 2007-11-21 Impact factor: 5.948
Authors: Mackenzie M Shipley; Daniel W Renner; Utsav Pandey; Bradley Ford; David C Bloom; Charles Grose; Moriah L Szpara Journal: Cold Spring Harb Mol Case Stud Date: 2019-12-13