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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Uncommon G9P[4] group A rotavirus strains causing dehydrating diarrhea in young children in Italy
Giovanni Ianiro1, Claudia Recanatini2, Marcello M D'Errico2
1Department of Food Safety, Nutrition and Veterinary Public Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Rome, Italy.
Insights
Three uncommon Group A rotavirus (RVA) strains with the G9P[4] genotype were identified in Italy. Full genomic sequencing confirmed their human origin, highlighting the need for continued RVA surveillance to detect emerging variants.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children, resulting in significant global mortality, particularly in developing nations.
- The G-genotype (VP7 protein) and P-genotype (VP4 protein) define RVA strains, with specific combinations like G1P[8] being most common worldwide and in Italy.
- Uncommon RVA genotypes, such as G9P[4], pose a potential threat due to their less predictable behavior and epidemiology in the post-vaccination era.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the origin and genomic characteristics of three rare G9P[4] rotavirus strains identified during the 2016/17 surveillance season in Central Italy.
- To perform a comprehensive molecular characterization of these strains to understand their genetic makeup and potential for human transmission.
- To emphasize the importance of ongoing rotavirus surveillance for identifying novel or emerging viral variants.
Main Methods:
- Collection and RVA genotyping of 22 rotavirus-positive samples from hospitalized children with AGE in Ancona, Italy.
- Selection of three samples with the G9P[4] genotype for further analysis.
- Full nucleotide sequencing of all 11 gene segments for the three selected G9P[4] RVA strains to determine their complete genomic constellation.
Main Results:
- Three rotavirus strains with the G9P[4] genotype were identified among 22 samples collected in Central Italy.
- The genomic constellation of these three strains was determined to be G9-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2.
- Nucleotide sequencing confirmed that all gene segments of these G9P[4] strains originated from human rotaviruses.
Conclusions:
- The identified G9P[4] rotavirus strains possess a fully human genetic background.
- This finding underscores the need for continuous molecular characterization and surveillance of rotaviruses to monitor the circulation of diverse genotypes.
- Early detection of emerging RVA variants with high spreading potential is crucial for public health interventions, especially in the context of widespread vaccination programs.
Abstract:
Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are one of the major cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in young children, being responsible for up to 250.000 deaths worldwide, mostly in developing countries. The two outer capsid proteins VP7 (glycoprotein, G-genotype) and VP4 (protease-sensitive protein, P-genotype) are the basis for the binary RVA nomenclature. Although at least 36 G-types and 51 P-types of rotavirus are presently known, most RVA infections in humans, worldwide as well as in Italy, are related to six major G/P combinations: G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], G9P[8] and G12P[8]. In November 2016, in the framework of the Italian 2016/17 rotavirus surveillance season, a total of 22 rotavirus-positive samples from hospitalized children presenting AGE symptoms were collected in a small area of Central Italy (Ancona, Marche). After genotyping, 3 samples presented the G9P[4] genotype. In order to better understand the origin of these uncommon RVA strains causing dehydrating diarrhea in three children, the strains RVA/Human-wt/ITA/AN18/2016/G9P[4], RVA/Human-wt/ITA/AN19/2016/G9P[4] and RVA/Human-wt/ITA/AN22/2016/G9P[4] were subjected to nucleotide sequencing of all the 11 gene segments to define their genomic constellation. Nucleotide sequencing revealed that the genomic constellation of the three strains was G9-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2, highlighting human origin for all the gene segments investigated. The molecular characterization of RVAs and the continue monitoring of their circulation is needed to better define the epidemiology of these pathogen and to detect the emergence of viral variants presenting a high spreading potential in humans in the post-vaccination era.
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