Journal of Medical Virology 83:2164–2171 (2011) Genetic Diversity of Echovirus 30 Involved in Aseptic Meningitis Cases in Brazil (1998–2008) Gina Peres Lima dos Santos, 1 Eliane Veiga da Costa, 1 Fernando Neto Tavares, 1 Luciana Jesus da Costa, 2 and Edson Elias da Silva 1 * 1 Enterovirus Laboratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil 2 Laboratory of Genetics and Immunology of Viral Infections, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil Aseptic meningitis is one of the most common neurological disorders caused by enteroviruses. Among them, Echovirus 30 (E30) is described as the main etiological agent of many out- breaks and sporadic cases. This study investi- gated the genomic variability of E30 isolated from the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of aseptic meningitis cases that occurred from 1998 to 2008 in Brazil. Over a 10-year period (1998– 2008), 302 non-polio enteroviruses were isolated, of which 177 were identified as E30 (58.6%). Phylogenetic analysis of the complete VP1 gene (876 nt) of 48 E30 isolates was per- formed and compared with additional Brazilian and foreign strains. E30 VP1 sequences segre- gated into three distinct major groups and seven subgroups, which were linked to the iso- lation year. In general, sequence divergence among E30 strains ranged from 0.2% to 13.8%. A common direct ancestor for this set of E30 strains was not defined. Brazilian isolates from Group I were related genetically to a 1997 USA isolate and both may have a common origin. Group III representatives showed close relation- ship to the 2007 Argentinean isolates. The present results complement existing data on the molecular characterization and genetic variability of E30 and may contribute to the understanding of the epidemiology of aseptic meningitis in the region. J. Med. Virol. 83: 2164–2171, 2011. ß 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. KEY WORDS: Echovirus 30; aseptic meningi- tis; cerebrospinal fluid; nucleo- tide sequencing; phylogenetic analysis INTRODUCTION Aseptic meningitis, acute flaccid paralysis, and encephalitis are clinical disorders caused by enteroviruses in humans. Although most cases are asymptomatic, high morbidity rates present primarily in children and severe infections may result in serious sequels [Pallansch and Roos, 2001]. Enteroviruses consist of small, positive-stranded RNA viruses belonging to the family Picornaviridae. Based on the genetic characteristics of the VP1 capsid gene, these viruses have been classified as human enterovirus species HEV-A, HEV-B, HEV-C, and HEV-D [Stanway et al., 2005]. Many outbreaks of aseptic meningitis have been de- scribed in several countries with enteroviruses as the etiological agents. In addition to causing outbreaks, aseptic meningitis can present as sporadic cases (SC), keeping active the circulation of the viral serotypes involved in these cases [Thoelen et al., 2003; Kmetzsch et al., 2006; Greno ´n et al., 2008; Mirand et al., 2008; Tavakoli et al., 2008; Papa et al., 2009]. Detection and typing of the enterovirus involved in clinical disorders is valuable in relating the serotypes to these diseases and contributes to their surveillance [Tavakoli et al., 2008]. Echovirus (Enteric Cytopathogenic Human Orphan virus) serotype 30 is a member of the HEV-B species; this species includes all other echoviruses, Coxsackie B viruses, among others. Echovirus 30 (E30) is one of Additional Supporting Information may be found in the online version of this article. Grant sponsor: Public Health Laboratories Coordination of Brazilian Ministry of Health (CGLAB/SVS,MS); Grant sponsor: Coordination of Improvement of Higher Education Personnel (CAPES); Grant sponsor: National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPQ). Virus nomenclature: Order Picornavirales, Family Picornaviridae, Genus Enterovirus, Human Enterovirus B, Echovirus serotype 30. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest. *Correspondence to: Edson Elias da Silva, Enterovirus Labo- ratory, Oswaldo Cruz Institute/Fundac ¸a ˜ o Oswaldo Cruz, Av. Brasil, 4365, Manguinhos, 21040-360 Rio de Janeiro, RJ, Brazil. E-mail: edson@ioc.fiocruz.br Accepted 11 August 2011 DOI 10.1002/jmv.22235 Published online in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com). ß 2011 WILEY PERIODICALS, INC.