Genotypes of the Congo-Crimean Hemorrhagic Fever Virus Occurring in the Turkestan Region

Background: The Turkestan region of Kazakhstan is the natural focus of the Congo-Crimean hemorrhagic fever (CCHF). Every year, some of the patients treated in hospitals are not included in official statistics and remain in the group of possible cases of CCHF.Objectives: This study aimed to verify the genotypes of the CCHF virus (CCHFV) in the Turkestan region and Shymkent City.Methods: Twelve blood samples from patients with CCHF were studied, the diagnosis of which was verified on the basis of posi-tive specific immunoglobulins IgM to the virus. To isolate viral RNA, we used a special MAGNO-sorb kit. To detect RNA, CCHFV was used with a set of Amplisens CCHFV-FL by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a Rotor-Gene Q device. For the reverse transcription reaction, we used a set of Reverta-L.Results: The study of the genome sequence of CHFV from GenBank demonstrated that isolates from the Turkestan region belonged to genetic groups Asia-1 and Asia-2.Conclusions: For the first time in Kazakhstan's history, a phylogenetic analysis of RNA sequences of viruses from patients with CCHF was performed in the Turkestan region, as a result of which genetic groups Asia-1, reassortant Asia-1, and Asia-2 were established

Automated summary

This study analyzed the RNA sequences of CCHF viruses from patients in the Turkestan region, Kazakhstan, and confirmed the presence of genetic groups Asia-1, reassortant Asia-1, and Asia-2.