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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Full genomic analyses of human rotavirus strains possessing the rare P[8]b VP4 subtype
Souvik Ghosh1, Shyamal Kumar Paul, Dai Yamamoto
1Department of Hygiene, Sapporo Medical University School of Medicine, Sapporo, Japan. souvik8@rediffmail.com
Abstract:
Rotaviruses with the P[8] VP4 genotype are a major cause of acute infantile diarrhea. The P[8] genotype is classified into two genetically distinct subtypes, P[8]a and P[8]b. Most of the P[8] strains belong to subtype P[8]a, whilst P[8]b strains are rare. To date, the whole genomes of a few P[8]a strains have been analyzed, whilst there are no reports on full genomic analysis of the P[8]b strains. To determine the genetic makeup of the rare P[8]b strains and their overall genetic relatedness to the P[8]a strains, the present study analyzed the full genomes of a human G9P[8]b strain, MMC38, and a G1P[8]b strain, MMC71, detected in Bangladesh in 2005. By nucleotide sequence identities and phylogenetic analyses, strains MMC38 and MMC71 exhibited a human rotavirus Wa-like genotype constellation. Except for the VP4 gene, all the genes of strains MMC38 and MMC71 were closely related to cognate genes of the contemporary and more recent human Wa-like G1P[8]a, G9P[8]a, G11P[8]a, G11P[25], G12P[6] and G12P[8]a strains, including those from Bangladesh. Therefore, strains MMC38 and MMC71 possessed the genetically distinct P[8]b VP4 gene on a common human Wa-like genetic backbone, pointing towards their possible origin from reassortment events between common human Wa-like strains and unidentified rotavirus strains possessing the rare P[8]b-like VP4 gene. Since strains with this stable Wa-like genetic backbone can spread rapidly, and it is not certain as to whether the current rotavirus vaccines will be equally efficacious against the P[8]b strains as the P[8]a strains, proper detection of P[8]b strains and their whole genomic analyses might be of public health significance. To our knowledge, the present study is the first report on full genomic analysis of the rare P[8]b rotavirus strains.
Insights
Rare P[8]b rotavirus strains, causing infantile diarrhea, were genetically analyzed for the first time. These rare strains share a common human rotavirus backbone but possess a distinct VP4 gene, suggesting reassortment events.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Genomics
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotaviruses, particularly P[8] VP4 genotype strains, are a significant cause of acute infantile diarrhea.
- The P[8] genotype is divided into P[8]a (common) and P[8]b (rare) subtypes.
- Full genomic data for rare P[8]b rotavirus strains are lacking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the genetic makeup of rare P[8]b rotavirus strains.
- To assess the genetic relatedness of P[8]b strains to common P[8]a strains.
- To investigate the origins of P[8]b strains.
Main Methods:
- Whole genome sequencing of human G9P[8]b (MMC38) and G1P[8]b (MMC71) rotavirus strains.
- Nucleotide sequence identity analysis.
- Phylogenetic analysis.
Main Results:
- The analyzed P[8]b strains (MMC38, MMC71) exhibited a human rotavirus Wa-like genotype constellation.
- All genes, except VP4, were closely related to contemporary human Wa-like strains (G1P[8]a, G9P[8]a, etc.).
- The P[8]b strains possess a distinct VP4 gene on a common human Wa-like genetic backbone.
Conclusions:
- The rare P[8]b strains likely originated from reassortment events between common human Wa-like strains and unidentified rotaviruses with the P[8]b VP4 gene.
- The findings highlight the public health significance of detecting and analyzing rare P[8]b strains due to their potential rapid spread and uncertain vaccine efficacy.
- This study provides the first full genomic analysis of rare P[8]b rotavirus strains.
