A proposal for a common nomenclature for viral clades that form the genus varicella-zoster virus.

• Varicella zoster virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox and zoster, was the first human herpesvirus to be sequenced fully and the first for which vaccines have been licensed and widely used. Three groups have published genotyping schemes based on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) and between them identified five distinct phylogenetic clades, with an additional two putative clades . Sequencing of over 23 whole VZV genomes from around the world further refined the phylogenic distinctions between SNP genotypes. Widespread surveillance in countries in which varicella vaccine is now in use and the difficulties posed by three unique genotyping approaches, prompted an international meeting at which a common nomenclature based on phylogenetic clades , was agreed upon. In this paper we review the original genotyping schemes and discuss the basis for a novel common nomenclature for VZV viruses. We propose a minimum set of SNPs which we recommend should be used to genotype viruses. Finally, we suggest criteria by which new clades can be recognized.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Medicinska och farmaceutiska grundvetenskaper -- Mikrobiologi inom det medicinska området (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Basic Medicine -- Microbiology in the medical area (hsv//eng)

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)