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Published on: July 22, 2012
[Detection and genotyping of rotavirus in diarrhea infant feces in Chengdu]
Hong-Yu Liao1, Meng-Yan Zhang, Xi-Kai Chen
1Department of Medical Technology, West China School of Public Health, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Insights
Group A rotavirus, particularly G1P[8], is a common cause of infant diarrhea in Chengdu, China. Genetic analysis revealed high homology in the VP4 gene among prevalent strains.
Area of Science:
- Virology: Focuses on the genetic characterization of rotavirus strains.
- Molecular Biology: Utilizes techniques like RT-PCR and gene sequencing for genetic analysis.
Context:
- Infant diarrhea remains a significant public health concern globally.
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in young children.
- Limited data exists on rotavirus genotypes prevalent in Chengdu, China.
Purpose:
- To determine the genotypes of group A rotavirus in fecal samples from infants with diarrhea in Chengdu.
- To investigate the genetic variations of the VP4 gene, a major neutralization antigen, in these rotavirus strains.
Summary:
- Group A rotaviruses were detected in 17.3% of infant fecal samples.
- Serotype G1 was the predominant G type (53.8%), followed by G3 (15.4%).
- Genotype P[8] was the most common P type (46.2%), with G1P[8] being the dominant G/P combination (38.5%).
- Sequencing of VP4 gene fragments from two P[8] strains showed over 90% homology to the standard strain.
Impact:
- Establishes G1P[8] as the predominant rotavirus strain causing diarrhea in infants in Chengdu.
- Provides crucial genetic information on rotavirus strains in this region.
- Informs public health strategies for rotavirus prevention and control, including vaccine development and implementation.
Objective:
To study the genotype of rotavirus and the genetic variations of the major neutralization antigen VP4 of group A rotavirus in fecal samples from infants with diarrhea in Chengdu, Sichuan province, China.
Methods:
The fecal specimens were collected from infant patients with diarrhea in the spring of 2010 at West China Second University Hospital. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to identify rotavirus G serotypes and P genotypes. VP4 gene fragments of the virus were amplified from two strains drawn randomly from the prevailing genotype and cloned into a T-A clone vector to generate the recombinants for sequencing.
Results:
A group rotaviruses were detected in 13 of 75 specimens (17.3%). Serotype G1 was the predominant type (7/13) and two were serotype G3, four strains' serotypes were unidentified. Analysis of P gene demonstrated that genotype P [8] was the predominant type (6/13), whereas only two P[4] genotype were detected and genotypes for two strains were not determined. G1P [8] was the predominant type of G/P dominance combination (5/13). Sequencing results of the VP4 gene for the analyzed two strains implied that they were genotype P[8] with a 97% homology in sequence. Compared with the standard strain, homologies were also more than 90%.
Conclusion:
Rotavirus is one of the major etiological agents of viral diarrhea among infants in Chengdu. G1 was the dominant type G in Chengdu. G1P[8] was the predominant type of G/P dominance combination.
