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Published on: January 28, 2019
Detection and molecular characterization of uncommon rotavirus group A genotype G12 among hospitalized children in
Ponnambalam Arun, Kaveri Krishnasami1, Palani Gunasekeran1
1Department of Virology, King Institute of Preventive Medicine and Research, Guindy, Chennai.
Insights
This study identified uncommon rotavirus group A (RVA) G12P[6] strains in hospitalized children in Chennai, India, during the pre-vaccination era. Monitoring RVA genetic diversity is crucial for public health interventions against rotavirus gastroenteritis.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Molecular Biology
- Public Health
Background:
- Human group A rotaviruses (RVAs) exhibit significant genetic diversity with frequently emerging new strains globally.
- Low-income countries, including India, bear a substantial burden of rotavirus gastroenteritis.
- Monitoring circulating RVA strains is essential for understanding genetic evolution and informing public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and molecular characteristics of rotavirus strains in hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis in Chennai, South India.
- To document the occurrence of uncommon rotavirus genotypes, specifically G12P[6], in the study population prior to vaccine introduction.
- To contribute data on RVA genetic diversity in a region with high disease burden.
Main Methods:
- Collection and testing of stool samples from 401 children under five years old admitted with acute gastroenteritis.
- Detection of rotavirus using RT-PCR.
- Amplification of VP7 and VP4 genes using consensus primers, followed by semi-nested type-specific multiplex PCR.
- Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 genes for G12 strains and comparison with global isolates.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 167 (41.64%) of the stool samples.
- Five samples (2.99%) were identified as the uncommon G12P[6] genotype.
- Other detected genotypes included G1P[8], G9P[4], G9 (P untypable), G3P[8], and mixed genotypes like G2G9P[6] and G9G2P[11].
- Phylogenetic analysis provided insights into the variations of G12 strains.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights the circulation of an uncommon G12P[6] rotavirus strain in the Chennai community.
- Findings underscore the importance of continuous surveillance of rotavirus strains to adapt vaccination and control strategies.
- Effective control of rotavirus gastroenteritis necessitates monitoring environmental hygiene due to its fecal-oral transmission route.
Abstract:
Arun P, Krishnasami K, Gunasekeran P, Fathima G, Padmanabhan V. Detection and molecular characterization of uncommon rotavirus group A genotype G12 among hospitalized children in Chennai. Turk J Pediatr 2019; 61: 209-216. Human group A (RVAs) possess genetic diversity and often newer RVA strains have been reported frequently with different G and P combinations worldwide. As the disease burden is more common in low income countries including India, monitoring and detection of the circulating strains of rotavirus needs to be monitored to understand the genetic diversity of the strains which evolve over time. This study was an attempt to provide data on rotavirus gastroenteritis prevalence in and around Chennai Tamilnadu-South India during the pre-vaccination era. Stool samples were collected and tested from 401 children less than five years of age admitted to hospitals with acute gastroenteritis. The samples were subjected to amplification for VP7 and VP4 genes by using consensus primers, followed by semi-nested type-specific multiplex PCR. Phylogenetic analysis of VP7 genes of G12 were carried out and the variations between strains isolated globally were documented. Rotavirus was detected in 167 (41.64%) samples and five were found to be the uncommon G12P[6] genotype (2.99%) tested by RT-PCR followed by G1P[8], G9P[4], G9 with P untypable and G3P[8] and combinations of G2G9P[6] and G9G2P[11] with few strains untypable. In this study we highlight the occurrence of uncommon G12P[6] strain of rotavirus infection in the community. Since rotavirus is transmitted through oral-fecal route and monitoring of environmental cleanliness is mandatory to cease the spread of this deadliest viral agent to achieve our MDG-IV. Covering single genotype will have to be modified with respect to the circulating stains.
