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Molecular characterization of rotavirus strains from children in Toronto, Canada
Eleni Kostouros1, Karen Siu, Elizabeth L Ford-Jones
1Division of Microbiology, Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ont., Canada M5G 1X8.
Insights
Rotaviruses cause common infant diarrhea. This study identified G-serotypes in Toronto, finding G1 and G2 were most common, with low levels of G9.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Public Health
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Rotaviruses are a leading cause of diarrheal illness and severe dehydration in young children globally.
- Understanding the circulating rotavirus strains is crucial for developing effective prevention and control strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the G-serotypes of rotaviruses circulating in the Metro Toronto-Peel County region during the 1997-1998 winter season.
- To establish the prevalence of different rotavirus G-serotypes in this Canadian population.
Main Methods:
- Stool samples were collected from November 1997 to June 1998.
- Rotavirus presence was confirmed using electron microscopy and ELISA.
- A novel reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay was developed to amplify rotavirus gene segment 9 for G-serotype determination via sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- A total of 135 rotavirus isolates were analyzed.
- The G-serotypes were unambiguously determined for 130 isolates.
- The most prevalent serotypes were G1 (85 isolates) and G2 (41 isolates), with fewer cases of G3 (1), G4 (1), and G9 (2).
Conclusions:
- The developed RT-PCR assay provides a reliable method for unambiguous rotavirus G-serotype determination.
- The observed distribution of rotavirus G-serotypes in Toronto aligns with patterns seen in other developed countries.
- Serotype G9 was detected at low levels in the Toronto population during the study period.
Background:
Rotaviruses are the most common agents of diarrheal illness of infants and young children. Gastroenteritis caused by rotaviruses is also more likely to be associated with severe dehydration compared to other viral gastroenteritis.
Objectives:
We determined the G-serotype of rotaviruses circulating in the Metro Toronto-Peel County region, during the 1997-1998 winter.
Study Design:
Stool samples were collected in Metro Toronto-Peel county region from November 1, 1997 to June 30, 1998. Rotavirus presence was demonstrated by electron microscopy and ELISA. A reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay for the amplification of the near-complete RHA segment 9 of rotavirus was developed and used to determine the G-serotype by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis.
Results:
A total of 135 rotavirus isolates were used as templates for RT-PCR. Of these, four could not be amplified and one revealed a mixed infection. The G-serotypes could be unambiguously determined for the other isolates. Of these, 85 were of G-serotype 1, 41 of G2, 1 of G3, 1 of G4, and 2 of G9.
Conclusion:
Our RT-PCR assay enables unambiguous determination of the G-serotype. The overall relative incidence of G-serotypes in Toronto is similar to that of other developed countries. Serotype G9 was present at low levels in Toronto.