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Distribution of Rotavirus Genotypes Ccirculating in Ahvaz, Iran in 2016
Azarakhsh Azaran1,2, Manoochehr Makvandi1,2, Ali Teimoori1,2
1Infectious and Tropical Diseases Research Center, Health Research Institute, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran.
Insights
Group A rotavirus (RVA) causes gastroenteritis in children. Molecular epidemiology revealed G9P[8] as the dominant genotype in Iran, with a novel G12 strain detected.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Group A rotavirus (RVA) is a significant cause of acute gastroenteritis in young children, particularly in developing countries.
- Understanding the molecular epidemiology of RVA is crucial for regional disease surveillance and vaccine development strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence and molecular epidemiology of rotavirus genotypes in children with acute gastroenteritis in Ahvaz city, southwest Iran.
- To identify dominant G and P genotypes and their combinations for informing public health interventions.
Main Methods:
- Fecal samples from 100 children under five with acute gastroenteritis were collected.
- Samples were screened for RVA antigen using latex agglutination, followed by semi-multiplex RT-PCR and sequencing for G/P genotyping.
Main Results:
- 32% of samples tested positive for RVA.
- The predominant G genotype was G9 (37.5%), and the dominant P genotype was P[8] (62.5%).
- The most common G/P combination identified was G9P[8] (28.5%). A novel G12 strain was detected.
Conclusions:
- The study identified the dominant rotavirus genotypes in southwest Iran, with G9P[8] being the most prevalent.
- The detection of a novel G12 strain necessitates further comprehensive investigations into its emergence and potential impact.
Background:
Group A rotavirus (RVA) mainly causes acute gastroenteritis, exclusively in young children in developing countries. The prevalence and determination of the molecular epidemiology of rotavirus genotypes will determine the dominant rotavirus genotypes in the region and provide a strategy for the development of appropriate vaccines.
Methods:
A total of 100 fecal samples were collected from children below five years with acute gastroenteritis who referred to Aboozar Children’s Hospital of Ahvaz city during October 2015 to March 2016. All samples were screened by latex agglutination for the presence of rotavirus antigen. Rotavirus-positive samples were further analyzed by the semi-multiplex RT-PCR, and the sequencing was performed for G/P genotyping.
Results:
Findings showed that 32% of the specimens were RVA-positive. Among the 32 VP7 genotyped strains, the predominant G genotype was G9 (37.5%), followed by G2 (21.9%), G1 (12.5%), G12 (9.4%), G4 (9.4%), G2G9 (6.3%), and G3 (3.1%). Among the 31 VP4 genotyped strains, P[8] genotype was the dominant (62.5%), followed by P[4] (31.3%) and P[4] P[8] (3.1%). The genotypes for G and P were identified for 31 rotaviruses (96.87%), but only one strain, G9, remained non-typeable for the P genotype. The most prevalent G/P combination was G9P[8] (28.5%), followed by G2P[4] (18.8%), G1P[8] (9.4%), G12P[8] (9.4%), G4P[8] (9.4%), G2G9P[4] (6.3%), G9P[4] P[8] (3.1%), G3P[8] (3.1%), G9P[4] (3.1%), G2P[8] (3.1%), and G9P[non-typeable] (3.1%).
Conclusion:
A novel rotavirus strain, G12, was detected, for the first time, in patients from the southwest of Iran. Comprehensive investigations are required to evaluate the emergence of this strain.
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