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Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Genetic characterization of P[8] rotavirus strains circulated in Iran between 2009 and 2017
Tayebeh Latifi1, Sana Eybpoosh2, Atefeh Afchangi1
1Department of Virology, School of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
Group A rotavirus (RVA) causes severe gastroenteritis globally. This study found that Iranian P[8] rotavirus strains have genetic differences compared to Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™ vaccines, highlighting the need for ongoing surveillance.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Immunology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Group A rotavirus (RVA) is a leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide, particularly in lower-income regions.
- The G1P[8] genotype is globally prevalent and is included in common RVA vaccines like Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic diversity, viral evolution, and antigenic differences of Iranian P[8] rotavirus strains in comparison to two licensed RVA vaccines.
- To understand the implications of these differences for vaccine effectiveness and viral evolution.
Main Methods:
- Phylogenetic and evolutionary analyses were performed using MEGA version 6.0 and BEAST.
- Antigenic epitopes of the VP8* protein were compared between Iranian P[8] strains and vaccine strains (Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™).
Main Results:
- The predominant P[8] genotypes circulating in Iran were identified as lineages III and IV, with estimated TMRCAs of 1987 and 2009, respectively.
- Iranian P[8]-lineage III strains exhibited 12 amino acid variations compared to Rotarix™ and 10 compared to RotaTeq™.
- Iranian P[8]-lineage IV strains showed 10 amino acid variations when compared to both Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™.
Conclusions:
- The P[8] rotavirus strains currently circulating in Iran demonstrate genetic distinctiveness from the strains present in Rotarix™ and RotaTeq™ vaccines.
- Continuous monitoring of these P[8] strains is essential to assess the long-term impact of RVA vaccination on the emergence of diverse viral lineages.
Abstract:
Group A rotavirus (RVA) is the most common cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide, which is responsible for causing an estimated 120 000 deaths in children under 5 years of age, which mostly occur in the lower-income countries of Asia and Africa. The G1P[8] is a common genotype of RVA that has spread throughout the world, including Iran and this genotype is present in two commonly used RVA vaccines, RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM . In this study, we investigated the genetic diversity, viral evolution, and differences between antigenic epitopes of Iran's P[8] strains and two licensed vaccines. The phylogenetic and evolutionary analysis was carried out, using MEGA version 6.0 and BEAST, respectively. Antigenic epitopes of VP8* were compared to determine the differences between strains from Iran and RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM . The P[8]-lineages III and IV were found as the predominant P genotype that circulated in Iran. The TMRCA of P[8]-lineages III and IV was estimated in 1987 and 2009, respectively. The P[8]-lineage III strains showed 12 amino acid changes compared to RotarixTM and 10 amino acid changes compared to RotaTeqTM . The P[8]-lineage IV strains showed 10 amino acid variations for both RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM strains. The results revealed that the P[8] strains circulating in Iran differ from RotarixTM and RotaTeqTM strains. To monitor the long-term effects of vaccines on the emergence of P[8] strains with different lineages, routine and successful monitoring of these strains will be crucial.
