Host-Range Shift Between Emerging P[8]-4 Rotavirus and Common P[8] and P[4] Strains

Area of Science:

• Virology
• Human Genetics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in young children worldwide.
• Rotavirus strains are classified by their G and P types, with P[8] being a common type.
• The secretor histo-blood group phenotype, determined by the FUT2 gene, influences susceptibility to certain infections.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between rotavirus P-types and secretor status in Tunisian children with gastroenteritis.
• To characterize the binding properties of different P[8] rotavirus VP8* proteins to host glycans.

Main Methods:

• Genotyping of rotavirus strains from children with gastroenteritis.
• Determination of secretor/nonsecretor phenotype of patients.
• In vitro binding assays of rotavirus VP8* proteins to saliva glycans.

Main Results:

• Rotavirus P[8]-3 and P[4] strains were associated with the secretor phenotype.
• The emerging P[8]-4 strain, accounting for 10% of cases, was found exclusively in nonsecretor patients.
• The P[8]-4 VP8* protein exhibited binding to glycans irrespective of secretor status, unlike P[8]-3 and P[4] strains.

Conclusions:

• The study identifies distinct tropisms for different P[8] rotavirus strains based on host secretor status.
• A high prevalence of nonsecretor phenotype in the Tunisian population may facilitate the co-circulation of P[8]-3 and P[8]-4 strains in respective secretor and nonsecretor children.
• These findings have implications for understanding rotavirus epidemiology and vaccine development.