Echovirus 22 is genetically and biologically distinct from typical enteroviruses, lacking cross-hybridization and generic PCR detection, though it shares a common T-cell epitope.
Although echovirus 22 (EV22) is classified as an enterovirus in the family Picornaviridae, it is atypical of the enterovirus paradigm, typified by the polioviruses and the coxsackie B viruses. cDNA reverse transcribed from coxsackievirus B3 (CVB3) RNA does not hybridize to genomic RNA of EV22, and conversely, cDNA made to EV22 does not hybridize to CVB3 genomic RNA or to molecular clones of CVB3 or poliovirus type 1. EV22 cDNA does not hybridize to viral RNA of encephalomyocarditis virus or to a molecular clone of Theiler's murine encephalomyelitis virus, members of the cardiovirus genus. The genomic RNA of EV22 cannot be detected by the polymerase chain reaction using generic enteroviral primers. EV22 does not shut off host cell protein synthesis, and the RNA of EV22 is efficiently translated in vitro in rabbit reticulocyte lysates. Murine enterovirus-immune T cells recognize and proliferate against EV22 as an antigen in vitro, demonstrating that EV22 shares an epitope(s) common to enteroviruses but not found among other picornaviruses.
Coller et al. (1990) studied Echovirus 22 characterization. Echovirus 22 (EV22) vs. Coxsackievirus B3, poliovirus, and cardioviruses was evaluated on Viral RNA hybridization, PCR detection, host cell protein synthesis shutoff, and T cell recognition. Echovirus 22 is genetically and biologically distinct from typical enteroviruses, lacking cross-hybridization and generic PCR detection, though it shares a common T-cell epitope.