Human respiratory syncytial virus genomic and antigenic variants isolated in two hospitals during one epidemic, in Santiago, Chile

Background: Human respiratory syncytial virus (HRSV) is a major cause of severe lower respiratory tract infection (LRI) in children. Distinct variants of the viruses have been described. Objective: The objective was to compare the antigenic and genetic variability of HRSV strains recovered from infants admitted to two hospitals during one epidemic in a big city. Study design: We analyzed nasopharyngeal aspirates from 201 infants admitted for LRI to two hospitals during 2002 in Santiago, Chile. The analyses were carried out using a panel of monoclonal antibodies against G glycoprotein epitopes (EIA) and RFLP for N and G genes. Results: No differences in HRSV groups A/B and in N patterns distribution were observed among both hospitals. On the contrary, antigenic and genetic G patterns displayed a wide diversity of strains circulating during one epidemic, in one big city. Conclusions: RSV variability assessment depended rather on the tool used for analysis than on the geographical location