Genome Sequencing of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) from 2012-2013 season in USA. human respiratory syncytial virus

As the single most important cause of serious lower respiratory tract disease in infants and young children in the United States and globally, RSV is of considerable public health importance and a high priority for vaccine development. There are two major antigenic groups of RSV, A and B and multiple genotypes within the two groups that are currently circulating in humans. RSV causes lower respiratory tract illness and potentiates childhood wheezing and asthma. The objective of the current study is to sequence 100 genomes of RSV, collected within USA during the season 2012-2013 to identify if any signature of virulence is associated with the disease severity and understand the genetic and antigenic evolution of RSV in a given season.