Distribution of human Cytomegalovirus gB genotypes in samples from pediatric patients in Parma during the period 1995-2003

Background. Human Cytomegalovirus (HCMV) infection is a leading cause of developmental disability and late neurological sequelae in children. Several literature data indicate that HCMV pericapsidic glycoprotein B (gB) is highly immunogenic and is involved in virus-cell interaction.The gB gene has hypervariable regions producing four genotypes (gB1, gB2, gB3, gB4); however, the correlation between gB genotypes and HCMV infection outcome remains unclear. Objectives. The main goal of this study was that of evaluating the distribution of HCMV gB genotypes in samples from pediatric population in Parma with congenital, perinatal or post-natal infections, in order to find a correlation between viral gB genotypes and the clinical outcome of the infection. Study design. Forty eight urine samples, selected between 1999 and 2003 and stored at -80°C, underwent DNA extraction, nested PCR amplification of a gB gene region and restriction polymorphism analysis (RFLP). Results. The gB genotypes distribution in the considered pediatric population was as follows: gB1 was the most diffused (45.83%) followed by gB2 (22.92%), gB3 (16.67%) and gB4 (14.58%). Conclusions. In the considered population, gB1 was the most represented genotype and was often found in congenital and perinatal symptomatic infections, as well as in post-natal, asymptomatic infections.