Phylogenetic analysis of human metapneumovirus detected in hospitalized patients in Kuwait during the years 2009–2011

Human metapneumovirus [hMPV] is an important cause of both upper and lower respiratory tract infections [RTIs] in all age groups. Children, elderly, and immunocompromised individuals are the most affected groups. HMPV infection accounts for 5% of hospitalized patients with respiratory tract infections in Kuwait. It is mostly detected among infants and elderly age groups, and both hMPV genotypes A and B circulate in Kuwait. In this study, the genetic diversity of detected hMPV was evaluated, and a phylogenetic analysis based on partial nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the G gene was performed for hMPV detected among hospitalized patients with RTIs. Our results showed that 62% of hMPV sequences belonged to the A genotype and 38% to the B genotype. A2b and B2 subtypes were detected and circulated during the study period, whereas A1 and B1 subtypes were not detected. Based on nucleotide sequences of the G gene, most of hMPV strains [57%] were clustered with Indian strains, followed by Greek strains [24%] and Canadian strains [14%]. One strain [5%] clustered within the B genotype but had different branches than B1 and B2 branches. Our data showed the co-circulation of hMPV genotypes A2b and B2 in Kuwait with genetic diversity suggestive of evolution through negative selection

Frequency of CCR5 promotorpolymorphism affecting the rate of progression to AIDS [59029-G/A] in Kuwait

To estimate the frequencies of 59029-G and 59029-A alleles associated with slow and rapid progression to AIDS in Kuwaitis. The DNA was extracted from 109 blood samples of healthy unrelated Kuwaitis. The 59029-G/A polymorphism was detected by the polymerase chain reaction/restriction fragment length polymorphism [PCR-RFLP] test. The amplification of a 268-bp fragment of the CCR5 gene encompassing the site of the polymorphism was followed by digestion with restriction endonuclease Bsp 1286I and sizing the DNA fragments by agarose gel electrophoresis. Among 109 individuals genotyped, 10, 44 and 55 were 59029-A/A homozygous, 59029-G/G homozygous and 59029-G/A heterozygous, respectively. The frequency of the G allele was 0.66 [95% CI: 0.59-0.72] while the frequency of the A allele was 0.34 [95% CI: 0.28-0.41]. Conclusions: The frequency of the AIDS-'protective' 59029-G allele in Kuwaitis is significantly higher than the frequency of the 'rapid-progression' 59029-A allele. Moreover, the frequency of the 59029-G allele in Kuwaitis is among the highest reported. However, the difference from the 59029-G allele frequencies of other ethnic groups in some cases is not statistically significant