Journal of the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa
The molecular epidemiology of human respiratory syncytial virus in a tertiary paediatric hospital between 2020 and 2024
By Moepeng Maseko, Rageema Joseph, Stephen N.J. Korsman and 2 others.
Abstract
Background
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a leading cause of respiratory illness in young children, contributing significantly to morbidity and mortality and placing a substantial burden on resource-limited healthcare systems. Molecular epidemiological data from sub-Saharan Africa remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the genetic diversity and evolution of RSV in a paediatric population in Cape Town, South Africa, from September 2020 to June 2024.
Methods
Respiratory syncytial virus-positive respiratory samples with a cycle threshold (Ct) < 30 from patients at Red Cross War Memorial Children’s Hospital were sequenced and analysed. Phylogenetic analysis of the partial RSV genome (F and G genes) was conducted using reference sequences derived from a global sequence database. Mutational profiles were assessed for relevance to monoclonal antibody and vaccine effectiveness.