Title | Classification and evolution of human rhinoviruses. | ||
Author | Palmenberg, Ann C; Gern, James E | ||
Journal | Methods Mol Biol | Publication Year/Month | 2015 |
PMID | 25261302 | PMCID | PMC4441521 |
Affiliation | 1.Institute for Molecular Virology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 1525 Linden Drive, Madison, WI, 53706, USA, acpalmen@wisc.edu. |
The historical classification of human rhinoviruses (RV) by serotyping has been replaced by a logical system of comparative sequencing. Given that strains must diverge within their capsid sequenced by a reasonable degree (>12-13 % pairwise base identities) before becoming immunologically distinct, the new nomenclature system makes allowances for the addition of new, future types, without compromising historical designations. Currently, three species, the RV-A, RV-B, and RV-C, are recognized. Of these, the RV-C, discovered in 2006, are the most unusual in terms of capsid structure, receptor use, and association with severe disease in children.