To explore the genomic diversity and evolutionary trends of human rhinoviruses (RVs) in Western Washington State during two distinct epidemiological periods affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly focusing on how COVID-19 influenced RV circulation.
Key Findings:
99 of 168 known RV genotypes were detected, with evidence of intergenotypic recombination and genotype cluster swapping from 2021 to 2022, which may have implications for vaccine efficacy.
A significant association was found between the presence of symptoms and viral load, but not with RV species or genotype.
Cocirculation of divergent clades within genotypes was observed, with over 20% of existing genotypes cocirculating each studied month.
Interpretation:
The study highlights the dynamic nature of RV genomic epidemiology, revealing high diversity and the potential for complex interactions among genotypes, which may impact long-term immunity and vaccine development, emphasizing the need for ongoing surveillance.
Limitations:
The study was limited to a specific geographic region, which may not represent global RV diversity.
The reliance on retrospective data may introduce biases in symptom reporting and demographic information, particularly due to sample selection methods.
Conclusion:
Understanding the genomic diversity and evolutionary trends of RV is crucial for developing effective therapeutic strategies and vaccines, particularly in the context of ongoing respiratory virus circulation.
by Stephanie Goya, Seffir T Wendm, Hong Xie, Tien V Nguyen, Sarina Barnes, Rohit R Shankar, Jaydee Sereewit, Kurtis Cruz, Ailyn C Pérez-Osorio, Margaret G Mills, Alexander L Greninger
Pragmatic cluster randomized crossover study found no statistically significant difference in laboratory-confirmed influenza during the 2023-2024 season
