MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF THE BOCAVIRUSES

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This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Human bocavirus (HBoV) has been identified worldwide in children with lower respiratory tract infections with an incidence of approximately 7%, and in many cases, co-infection with other respiratory viruses. No virus or an infectious DNA is isolated or cloned, and sero-epidemiology study is currently lack for HBoV infection. We first aim to express the VP2 capsid protein and establish an immunoassay to detect antibodies specifically reacted to HBoV. Detection of HBoV antibodies responding to the HBoV antigen in children with lower respiratory tract infection will elucidate the role of the HBoV in the pathogenesis of lower respiratory tract infection in Children. To construct a full length infectious clone of the HBoV is our second goal. With the infectious clone, we can dissect the virus on a molecular base. We will understand the function of individual viral proteins in viral replication and pathogenesis and their roles in a possible synergetic effect in the pathogenesis of lower respiratory tract infection with other respiratory viruses, which will provide us the knowledge to prevent HBoV infection in the future.