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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Genetic variability of human rotavirus strains isolated from Eastern and Northern India
Soma Das1, Vici Varghese, Susmita Chaudhuri
1Division of Virology, National Institute of Cholera and Enteric Diseases, Kolkata, India.
Insights
Genomic diversity of Group A rotavirus was studied in Indian children. G1P[8] was the predominant strain, with rare types and mixed infections also identified, indicating complex viral circulation.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Genetics
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in young children globally.
- Understanding the genomic diversity of rotavirus is crucial for vaccine development and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the genomic diversity of Group A rotavirus strains in Eastern and Northern India.
- To identify common and rare rotavirus genotypes circulating in the region.
Main Methods:
- Epidemiological study involving collection of rotavirus-positive samples from children with diarrhea.
- Genotyping of VP7 (G-type) and VP4 (P-type) genes using reverse transcription (RT) and multiplex PCR.
- Sequencing of the VP7 gene for further analysis of specific strains.
Main Results:
- G1P[8] was the predominant rotavirus strain (32.5%), followed by G2P[4] (4.7%).
- Rare strains (e.g., G1P[6], G2P[8]) and mixed infections were detected in 14.3% and 30% of cases, respectively.
- Two G9 strains with P[8] and P[19] specificities showed higher homology to international isolates, suggesting a distinct progenitor.
Conclusions:
- The study identified a complex genomic diversity of rotavirus in India, with G1P[8] being the most common genotype.
- The presence of rare strains and genetically distinct G9 strains highlights the need for continuous surveillance and potential impact on vaccine effectiveness.
Abstract:
An epidemiological study was conducted in Eastern and Northern India to determine the genomic diversity of rotaviruses in these parts of the country. In 2001, a total of 126 Group A rotavirus positive samples were detected from children below 4 years of age with diarrhoea from Kolkata, Dibrugarh and Bhubaneswar in Eastern India, and Chandigarh, a city in Northern India. All the samples were genotyped for VP7 (G-type) and VP4 (P-type) gene by reverse transcription (RT) and multiplex PCR using different type specific primers. The strains with G1P[8] (32.5%) was predominant as reported earlier [Das et al. (2002) J Clin Microbiol 40:146-149] followed by G2P[4](4.7%) and only one sample was of G4P[8] specificity. Along with these common types some rare strains like G1P[6], G2P[8], G2P[6], G4P[4], and G4P[6] were also detected in 14.3% of cases. Thirty percent of samples in this study were mixed infections and 21 (16.7%) specimens remained untypeable either for the VP7 or for the VP4 gene. After sequencing of the VP7 gene, two G9 strains (RMC321 and ISO-3) were identified with P[8] and P[19] specificities. Sequence analysis revealed that they have much lower homology to the G9 strains (116E, INL1, and G16) isolated earlier from Indian subcontinent, but have much higher homology to isolates from Argentina, Brazil, Malawi, Taiwan, and USA suggesting a separate progenitor for these strains.
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