Munivenkatappa, AshokNyayanit, Dimpal A.Mohandas, SreelekshmyLuwang, AsiaShete, AnitaHanumaiah, H.Mourya, Devendra T.Yadav, Pragya D.2023-08-192023-08-192023-01Munivenkatappa Ashok, Nyayanit Dimpal A., Mohandas Sreelekshmy, Luwang Asia, Shete Anita, Hanumaiah H., Mourya Devendra T., Yadav Pragya D.. Molecular characterization & recombination analysis of complete enterovirus-88 isolated from acute flaccid paralysis cases in India. Indian Journal of Medical Research. 2023 Jan; 157(1): 41-500971-5916http://imsear.searo.who.int/handle/123456789/223548Background & objectives: Focus on non-polio enteroviruses (NPEVs) causing acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) due to myelitis has increased with the containment of the poliovirus. Enterovirus-B88 (EV-B88) has been associated with the AFP cases in Bangladesh, Ghana, South Africa, Thailand and India. In India, EV-B88 infection was linked to AFP a decade ago; however, to date, no complete genome has been made available. In this study, the complete genome sequence of EV-B88 was identified and reported from two different States (Bihar and Uttar Pradesh) in India using the next-generation sequencing technique. Methods: Virus isolation was performed on the three AFP suspected cases as per the WHO-recommended protocol. Samples showing cytopathic effects in the human Rhabdocarcinoma were labelled as NPEVs. Next-generation sequencing was performed on these NPEVs to identify the aetiological agent. The contiguous sequences (contigs) generated were identified, and reference-based mapping was performed. Results: EV-B88 sequences retrieved in our study were found to be 83 per cent similar to the EV-B88 isolate from Bangladesh in 2001 (strain: BAN01-10398; Accession number: AY843306.1). Recombination analyses of these samples demonstrate recombination events with sequences from echovirus-18 and echovirus-30. Interpretation & conclusions: Recombination events in the EV-B serotypes are known, and this work reconfirms the same for EV-B88 isolates also. This study is a step in increasing the awareness about EV-B88 in India and emphasizes future studies to be conducted in the identification of other types of EV present in India.Acute flaccid paralysisBiharenterovirus-88Indianext-generation sequencingrashrecombinantUttar PradeshJournal ArticleIndiaBangalore Unit, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Bengaluru, KarnatakaMaximum Containment Laboratory, ICMR-National Institute of Virology, Maximum Containment Facility, Pune, Maharashtra, India