Sustained circulation of #enterovirus D68 in #Europe in 2023 and continued #evolution of #EVD68 B3-lineages associated with distinct amino acid substitutions in VP1 protein
Highlights • Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) was circulating in Europe in 2023 • Most EV-D68 cases were captured through clinical EV surveillance • Phylogenetic analysis of the VP1 region revealed a distinct B3-derived lineage • The identified B3 lineage presented a previously undescribed residue change, D554E Abstract Background Enterovirus D68 (EV-D68) causes respiratory disease ranging from mild to severe and in rare cases a paralytic syndrome, called acute flaccid myelitis (AFM). Since the global EV-D68 outbreak in 2014, the virus has mainly circulated in biennial epidemic cycles with peaks detected during even years. However, following the COVID-19 pandemic, the seasonal pattern of EV-D68 has been characterized by large yearly upsurges . Here, we describe the circulation of EV-D68 in Europe in 2023 and track its genetic evolution. Study design Data was compiled from members of the European Non-Polio Network (ENPEN). This included monthly data on the total number of...