Human RSVA-ON1, the only genotype present during 2019-2020 winter season in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia: a retrospective study

Aim: The study aimed to analyze human respiratory syncytial virus (hRSV) strains in nasopharyngeal aspirates obtained retrospectively. Materials & methods: Clinical information of ARI patients (n = 53) was accessed and 2nd hypervariable region of G protein gene of RSV was sequenced and analyzed. Results: Cough (98.1%), fever 40 (75.4%) and shortness of breath 32 (60.3%) were the common symptom. Sequence determination (n = 45) categorized all the strains in ON1 genotype. Potential O- and N- glycosylation were observed at some sites and purifying selections were observed at 274 and 320 codon positions. Conclusion: The study reports replacement of other RSVA genotypes with ON1. The future course of studies should emphasize on clinical implications of presence of hRSVA-ON1 genotype in a given population. Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes infections in millions of people around the world. These infections affect breathing. The virus has been reported around the world, but few reports are available from Saudi Arabia. This study looks at 53 samples from infected people between December 2019 to January 2020. Fifty-two patients had a cough as their main symptom and 40 suffered from fever. Thirty-two suffered from shortness of breath. By analyzing the genetic material of the viruses in the samples, we found all belonged to a class known as ON1. This class was previously on a rise but now seems to be the main variant of RSV in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. A study conducted in Riyadh during December 2019 - January 2020 reports replacement of other RSVA genotypes with ON1 genotype.