Molecular Characterization of Emerging and Uncommon Enteroviruses C104, C105, and C109 in Respiratory Samples from Maryland, USA, 2018–2024

• الحاوية / القاعدة: Viruses
• المؤلفون الرئيسيون: Amary Fall, Ting X. Zhuang, Alaina Dodge, Omar Abdullah, Julie M. Norton, David Villafuerte, Andrew Pekosz, Eili Klein, Heba H. Mostafa
• التنسيق: مقال
• اللغة: الإنجليزية
• منشور في: MDPI AG 2025-08-01
• الموضوعات: enterovirus C; EV-C105; EV-C104; EV-C109; whole-genome sequencing; immunocompromised host
• الوصول للمادة أونلاين: https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/9/1183

<b>Background</b>: While enteroviruses (EVs) are recognized causes of diverse illnesses, little is known about the epidemiology and molecular characteristics of uncommon enterovirus C (EV-C) types, including EV-C104, EV-C105, and EV-C109. <b>Methods</b>: We conducted genomic surveillance of EVs at the Johns Hopkins Health System between 2018 and 2024 (a total of 3715 samples), identifying EV-C104, EV-C105, and EV-C109 in respiratory samples. VP4-VP2 and whole-genome sequencing were used to assess genetic diversity and intra-host evolution. <b>Results</b>: Five EV-C105 infections were identified primarily in pediatric patients, presenting with a range of clinical features including fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, and cerebellitis. Prolonged EV-C104 and EV-C109 infections were identified in two immunocompromised adults. EV-C104 persisted for over five months and showed evidence of viral genomic changes (intra-host evolution). EV-C109 was detected over a four-month period. Phylogenetic analysis revealed a novel EV-C105 clade (C3) closely related to recent USA strains. EV-C104 genomes aligned with genotype B sequences from the USA and Europe, while EV-C109 sequences were similar to 2014–2015 strains from the Netherlands. <b>Conclusions</b>: These findings highlight the emergence, persistence, and genetic evolution of uncommon EV-C types in Maryland, especially among immunocompromised hosts, emphasizing the importance of continued genomic surveillance and clinical correlations.