Analysis of epidemiological and viral genetic characteristics of human coronavirus OC43 in Hangzhou area from 2018 to 2023
10.3760/cma.j.cn112309-20241205-00415
- VernacularTitle:2018—2023年杭州地区人冠状病毒OC43的流行病学及病毒基因特征分析
- Author:
Yinyan ZHOU
1
;
Xinfen YU
1
;
Feifei CAO
1
;
Shi CHENG
1
;
Yue YU
1
;
Jun LI
1
Author Information
1. 杭州市疾病预防控制中心（杭州市卫生监督所）卫生检验中心，杭州 310021
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Coronavirus;
Genotype;
Evolution;
Mutation
- From:
Chinese Journal of Microbiology and Immunology
2025;45(10):847-853
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective:To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and genetic evolution of human coronavirus OC43（HCoV-OC43）in Hangzhou from 2018 to 2023，and provide molecular epidemiological basis for the prevention and control of HCoV-OC43 infection.Methods:A total of 11 904 samples of cases with acute respiratory tract infection were collected from two sentinel hospitals in Hangzhou. The collection period was from January 2018 to December 2023. HCoV-OC43 was detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative RT-PCR. The positive samples were amplified by PCR using specific primers，and the amplified products were sequenced using third-generation nanopore technology for the whole genome. The genetic evolution features were analyzed.Results:A total of 265 HCoV-OC43 positive samples were detected，with a positive detection rate of 2.23%（265/11 904）. There was no significant difference in detection rate between males and females（χ 2=0.042， P>0.05）；the detection rate varied significantly among different age groups（χ 2=60.104， P<0.01），with higher detection rates observed in children under five years old and individuals over 65 years old. The infection peaks in 2018-2019 and 2023 occurred in spring and summer，while the infection peak in 2020-2022 was in summer and autumn. A total of 85 complete HCoV-OC43 whole genome sequences were obtained through high-throughput sequencing. The evolutionary analysis indicated that the K genotype was predominant in Hangzhou from 2018 to 2023. In 2019，both J and K genotypes co-existed. In 2023，a new genotype，temporarily named genotype L，was discovered，which originated from genotypes J and K. The K genotype had 22 specific amino acid variation sites，most of which were located in the important domain of S protein. The J genotype had seven specific amino acid variation sites，most of which were located in non-structural proteins. The new genotype L had 10 specific amino acid mutation sites，which were distributed across six proteins，and these mutation sites had the most extensive coverage. Conclusions:HCoV-OC43 is an important pathogen causing respiratory diseases in children and the elderly in the Hangzhou area，and there are multiple genotypes in the Hangzhou area，with a new recombinant genotype L discovered in 2023.
