Molecular Epidemiology and Evolutionary Trajectory of Emerging Echovirus 30, Europe
In 2018, an upsurge in echovirus 30 (E30) infections was reported in Europe. We conducted a large-scale epidemiologic and evolutionary study of 1,329 E30 strains collected in 22 countries in Europe during 2016-2018. Most E30 cases affected persons 0-4 years of age (29%) and 25-34 years of age (27%). Sequences were divided into 6 genetic clades (G1-G6). Most (53%) sequences belonged to G1, followed by G6 (23%), G2 (17%), G4 (4%), G3 (0.3%), and G5 (0.2%). Each clade encompassed unique individual recombinant forms; G1 and G4 displayed >2 unique recombinant forms. Rapid turnover of new clades and recombinant forms occurred over time. Clades G1 and G6 dominated in 2018, suggesting the E30 upsurge was caused by emergence of 2 distinct clades circulating in Europe. Investigation into the mechanisms behind the rapid turnover of E30 is crucial for clarifying the epidemiology and evolution of these enterovirus infections. ; The study was supported by the Ministry of Health, Welfare and Sport, the Netherlands as part of the EV surveillance program of the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment; the European Union Horizon 2020 research and innovation program (COMPARE grant no. 643476 from Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, Greece); the Wellcome Trust (grant no. ISSF204826/Z/16/Z); the Belgian National Reference Center for Enteroviruses from the RIZIV/INAMI (National Institute for Health and Disability Insurance); and the HONOURs Horizon 2020 Marie Sklodowska-Curie Training Network (grant no. 721367). ; Sí