Related Experiment Videos
Relative frequency of human rotavirus subgroups 1 and 2 in Japanese children with acute gastroenteritis
Abstract:
Recently developed monoclonal antibodies against the 42,000-dalton major inner capsid protein were used in an enzyme immunoassay to subgroup a total of 156 rotavirus specimens obtained from Japanese infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis during the period between December 1981 and April 1983. Only 2 specimens (1.3%) were identified as subgroup 1, whereas 154 specimens (98.7%) were identified as subgroup 2. The percentage of subgroup 2 rotaviruses obtained in this study was the highest among similar studies thus far performed in different areas of the world. One of the subgroup 1 isolates had fast-moving 10th and 11th gene segments (the "long" pattern) typical of the subgroup 2 human rotaviruses.
Insights
This study found that 98.7% of rotavirus specimens from Japanese infants and children with gastroenteritis belonged to subgroup 2. This high prevalence of subgroup 2 rotaviruses is the highest reported globally.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide.
- Monoclonal antibodies are crucial tools for classifying rotavirus strains.
- Previous studies have identified varying proportions of rotavirus subgroups in different geographic regions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To subgroup rotavirus specimens collected from Japanese infants and children with acute gastroenteritis.
- To determine the prevalence of different rotavirus subgroups in this population.
- To compare findings with global rotavirus subgroup distribution.
Main Methods:
- Enzyme immunoassay (EIA) was employed for rotavirus subtyping.
- Monoclonal antibodies targeting the major inner capsid protein (42,000-dalton) were utilized.
- 156 rotavirus specimens were analyzed, collected between December 1981 and April 1983.
Main Results:
- A high prevalence of subgroup 2 rotaviruses was observed (98.7%, 154/156 specimens).
- Only 1.3% (2/156 specimens) were identified as subgroup 1.
- The observed percentage of subgroup 2 rotaviruses represents the highest reported in global studies to date.
- One subgroup 1 isolate exhibited a "long" gene pattern (fast-moving 10th and 11th segments), characteristic of subgroup 2 human rotaviruses.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus subgroup 2 was overwhelmingly predominant in Japanese infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis during the study period.
- The findings suggest a significant regional variation in rotavirus subgroup prevalence.
- Further investigation into the genetic characteristics of subgroup 1 isolates with long patterns may provide insights into rotavirus evolution and epidemiology.