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Clinical Trial
. 2020 Feb 18;221(5):715-720.
doi: 10.1093/infdis/jiz507.

Cytomegalovirus Genetic Diversity Following Primary Infection

Shannon A Ross  1   2 , Pravasini Pati  1 , Travis L Jensen  3 , Johannes B Goll  3 , Casey E Gelber  3 , Amy Singh  4 , Monica McNeal  4 , Suresh B Boppana  1   2 , David I Bernstein  4
Affiliations
Clinical Trial

Cytomegalovirus Genetic Diversity Following Primary Infection

Shannon A Ross et al. J Infect Dis. .

Abstract

Background: Infection with multiple cytomegalovirus (CMV) strains (mixed infection) was reported in a variety of hosts. As the virus genetic diversity in primary CMV infection and the changes over time remain incompletely defined, we examined CMV diversity and changes in diversity over time in healthy adolescent females who participated in a phase 2 CMV gB/MF59 vaccine trial.

Methods: CMV genetic diversity was determined by genotyping of 5 genes-gB (UL55), gH (UL75), gN (UL73), US28, and UL144-in urine, saliva, and plasma samples from 15 study subjects.

Results: At the time of primary infection, 5 of 12 (42%) urine samples had multiple virus strains, and 50% of vaccine recipients were infected with gB1 genotype (vaccine strain). Mixed infection was documented in all 15 subjects within 3 months after primary infection, and the majority had different CMV genotypes in different compartments. Changes in genotypes over time were observed in all subjects.

Conclusions: Infection with multiple CMV genotypes was common during primary infection and further diversification occurred over time. Infection with gB1 genotype in vaccine recipients suggests a lack of strain-specific protection from the vaccine. As only 5 polymorphic genes were assessed, this study likely underestimated the true genetic diversity in primary CMV infection.

Keywords: cytomegalovirus; diversity; primary infection; strains.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percentage of subjects with mixed infection at the time of primary infection (month 0, urine) and longitudinally (urine, saliva, and plasma).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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