Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 5, 2026
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Genetic characterization of Bulgarian rotavirus isolates and detection of rotavirus variants: challenges for the
Zornitsa Mladenova1, Miren Iturriza-Gomara, Mathew D Esona
1National Reference Laboratory of Enteroviruses, Department of Virology, National Center of Infectious and Parasitic Diseases, Sofia, Bulgaria. zornitsavmbg@yahoo.com
Insights
Severe rotavirus diarrhea impacts children globally. This study analyzed rotavirus strains in Bulgaria, finding diverse variants like G4P[8], G2, G9, and G1, even without vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Severe rotavirus diarrhea causes significant hospital admissions and mortality in children under five.
- Universal immunization is a key strategy for controlling rotavirus infections globally.
- Understanding rotavirus strain diversity is crucial for vaccine effectiveness.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary relationships of common rotavirus strains circulating in Bulgaria.
- To identify specific rotavirus genotypes and variants present in the study population.
- To provide data on rotavirus diversity in a region without a widespread immunization program.
Main Methods:
- Sequence analysis of rotavirus strains.
- Phylogenetic analysis to determine evolutionary relationships.
- Identification of specific rotavirus genotypes and amino acid substitutions.
Main Results:
- Diverse rotavirus strains were identified, belonging to a single genotype.
- A mutated G4P[8] strain with an asparagine insertion was detected.
- G2, G9, and G1 variants with substitutions in antigenic regions were found in the absence of an immunization program.
Conclusions:
- Bulgaria exhibits a diverse population of rotavirus strains, including unique variants.
- Continuous rotavirus strain surveillance is essential for assessing vaccine efficacy against evolving strains.
- The findings highlight the importance of monitoring rotavirus diversity in both pre- and post-vaccine eras.
Abstract:
Annually 20-70% of all hospital admissions and 20% of fatal diarrhea cases among children less than 5 years of age occur due to severe rotavirus diarrhea. Universal immunization is the major strategy aimed at controlling rotavirus infection. The main objective of the present study was to elucidate the evolutionary relationships of the most common rotavirus strains co-circulating in Bulgaria. The sequence and phylogenetic analysis revealed strain diversity and circulation of different rotavirus variants belonging to a single genotype. A mutated G4P[8] strain with the insertion of an asparagine residue in position 76; G2, G9, and G1 variants with amino acid substitutions in the antigenic regions A, B, and/or C were all identified in this study in the absence of an immunization program. Rotavirus strain surveillance in both the pre- and post-vaccine eras is of increasing importance in order to assess the effectiveness of the rotavirus vaccines for protection against disease associated with a diverse population of rotavirus strains.
