MOLECULAR TYPING OF ENTEROVIRUSES - CURRENT STATUS AND FUTURE REQUIREMENTS

Human enteroviruses have traditionally been typed according to neutral ization serotype. This procedure is limited by the difficulty in cultu ring some enteroviruses, the availability of antisera for serotyping, and the cost and technical complexity of serotyping procedures. Furthe rmore, the impact of information derived from enterovirus serotyping i s generally perceived to be low. Enteroviruses are now increasingly be ing detected by PCR rather than by culture. Classical typing methods w ill therefore no longer be possible in most instances. An alternative means of enterovirus typing, employing PCR in conjunction with molecul ar genetic techniques such as nucleotide sequencing or nucleic acid hy bridization, would complement molecular diagnosis, may overcome some o f the problems associated with serotyping, and would provide additiona l information regarding the epidemiology and biological properties of enteroviruses. We argue the case for developing a molecular typing sys tem, discuss the genetic basis of such a system, review the literature describing attempts to identify or classify enteroviruses by molecula r methods, and suggest ways in which the goal of molecular typing may be realized.