Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Trajectory of Emerging Echovirus 30, Europe

Kimberley S.M. Benschop, Eeva K. Broberg, Emma Hodcroft et al.

Emerging Infectious Diseases, vol. 27, 1616--1626, 2021

10.3201/eid2706.203096

Abstract

In 2018, an upsurge in echovirus 30 (E30) infections was reported in Europe. We conducted a large-scale epidemiologic and evolutionary study of 1,329 E30 strains collected in 22 countries in Europe during 2016–2018. Most E30 cases affected persons 0–4 years of age (29\%) and 25–34 years of age (27\%). Sequences were divided into 6 genetic clades (G1–G6). Most (53\%) sequences belonged to G1, followed by G6 (23\%), G2 (17\%), G4 (4\%), G3 (0.3\%), and G5 (0.2\%). Each clade encompassed unique individual recombinant forms; G1 and G4 displayed {\textgreater}2 unique recombinant forms. Rapid turnover of new clades and recombinant forms occurred over time. Clades G1 and G6 dominated in 2018, suggesting the E30 upsurge was caused by emergence of 2 distinct clades circulating in Europe. Investigation into the mechanisms behind the rapid turnover of E30 is crucial for clarifying the epidemiology and evolution of these enterovirus infections.