Madeline Yunker

Ms. Madeline Yunker

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

3Years (2024-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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12 July 2024 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
MYMadeline Yunker
Madeline Yunker
AFAmary Fall
Amary Fall
JNJulie M. Norton
Julie M. Norton
OAOmar Abdullah
Omar Abdullah
David VillafuerteDavid Villafuerte
David Villafuerte
HMHeba Mostafa
Heba Mostafa
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a significant cause of morbidity, particularly in infants. This study describes RSV genomic diversity and disease outcomes during the 2023–2024 season in the Johns Hopkins Hospital System (JHHS). Between August and December 2023, 406 patient samples were sequenced, showing that RSV-B GB5.0.5a was the dominant genotype detected. RSV-A genotype GA2.3.5 was detected less frequently. Metadata analysis of patient data revealed that, although RSV-B was more commonly detected, patients with RSV-A infections were more frequently hospitalized. Analysis of both the G- and F-genes revealed multiple amino acid substitutions in both RSV-A and RSV-B, with some positions within the F-protein that could be associated with evasion of antibody responses. Phylogenetic analysis revealed the genetic diversity of circulating GB5.0.5a and GA2.3.5 genotypes. This study serves as an important baseline for genomic surveillance of RSV within the JHHS and will assist in characterizing the impact of the newly approved RSV vaccines on RSV genomic evolution and the emergence of escape mutations.