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Group C rotaviruses in humans
Abstract:
Atypical rotaviruses obtained from human feces from Australia, Brazil, and the United Kingdom were shown by a combination of techniques--immunoelectron microscopy, immunofluorescence, genome profile analysis, terminal fingerprint analysis of genome segments, and dot-blot hybridization--to be related to group C porcine rotaviruses. The prevalence of antibody to group C rotaviruses was found to be low in human sera and immunoglobulin pools from six countries. No signs of infection were obtained when one of the human viruses was inoculated into gnotobiotic piglets. We conclude that the atypical human viruses are the first examples of group C rotaviruses in humans.
Insights
Atypical rotaviruses found in humans are related to porcine group C rotaviruses. This study identifies the first human cases of group C rotaviruses, with low antibody prevalence observed globally.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Microbiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotaviruses are a common cause of gastroenteritis in infants and young children.
- While common rotavirus strains are well-characterized, atypical strains require further investigation.
- Group C rotaviruses are primarily known to infect pigs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize atypical rotaviruses detected in human feces.
- To determine the relationship between these atypical human rotaviruses and known porcine rotaviruses.
- To assess the prevalence of antibodies against group C rotaviruses in human populations.
Main Methods:
- Immunoelectron microscopy
- Immunofluorescence assays
- Genome profile and segment fingerprint analysis
- Dot-blot hybridization
- Serological testing of human sera and immunoglobulin pools
- Inoculation studies in gnotobiotic piglets
Main Results:
- Atypical human rotaviruses demonstrated a clear relationship to group C porcine rotaviruses.
- Antibody prevalence to group C rotaviruses was low in human sera and immunoglobulin pools from six countries.
- Experimental inoculation of gnotobiotic piglets with a human isolate did not result in observable signs of infection.
Conclusions:
- The identified atypical human rotaviruses represent the first documented instances of group C rotaviruses in humans.
- The findings suggest a potential zoonotic transmission or cross-species relationship for group C rotaviruses.
- Further research is warranted to understand the public health implications and epidemiology of group C rotaviruses in humans.