Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 28, 2025
Assays for the Specific Growth Rate and Cell-binding Ability of Rotavirus
Published on: January 28, 2019
Genotypic shift in rotavirus associated with neonatal outbreaks in Seoul, Korea
Jin Seok Kim1, Hyo-Won Jeong1, Sook Hyun Park1
1Emerging Infectious Diseases Team, Seoul Metropolitan Government Research Institute of Public Health and Environment, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea.
Insights
A novel G8P[6] rotavirus A (RVA) genotype emerged in Seoul, causing neonatal outbreaks from 2017-2020. This highlights the need for ongoing RVA genotype surveillance to protect public health.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus group A (RVA) causes acute gastroenteritis in children globally.
- Despite vaccination, RVA causes nosocomial infections in neonates in Korea.
- Neonatal RVA outbreaks remain a concern in healthcare settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the molecular epidemiology of RVA strains.
- To identify RVA genotypes causing neonatal outbreaks in Seoul (2017-2020).
- To understand the genetic relatedness of circulating RVA strains.
Main Methods:
- ELISA and PCR were used to detect RVA in clinical and environmental samples.
- RT-PCR and sequencing identified VP4 and VP7 genes for genotyping.
- Phylogenetic analysis compared Korean RVA strains with international strains.
Main Results:
- Fifteen RVA outbreaks occurred in Seoul neonatal facilities between 2017-2020.
- Two RVA genotypes, G4P[6] and G8P[6], were detected.
- G8P[6] became predominant in neonates after its emergence in November 2018.
Conclusions:
- A novel G8P[6] RVA genotype has emerged, causing neonatal outbreaks in Seoul.
- The identified G8P[6] strains are closely related to earlier Korean strains but distinct from African strains.
- Continuous surveillance of RVA genotypes is crucial for public health risk assessment.
Background:
Rotavirus group A (RVA) is a causative agent of acute gastroenteritis among young children worldwide, despite the global expansion of rotavirus vaccination. In Korea, although the prevalence of RVA has been reduced among young children owing to vaccination, nosocomial infections still occur among neonates.
Objectives:
The aim of this study was to investigate the molecular epidemiology of RVA strains associated with several neonatal outbreaks in Seoul from 2017 to 2020.
Study Design:
Clinical and environmental samples were collected and screened for the presence of RVA using ELISA and PCR targeting VP6, respectively. RVA-positive strains were genotyped via RT-PCR and subsequent sequencing of VP4 and VP7 and were phylogenetically compared with RVA strains from other countries.
Results:
During 2017-2020, a total of 15 RVA outbreaks occurred at neonatal facilities (six in hospital neonatal wards and nine in postpartum care centers) in Seoul, and only two RVA genotypes were detected: G4P[6] and G8P[6]. G8P[6] emerged in Seoul November 2018 and immediately became the predominant genotype among neonates, at least up to 2020. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the G8P[6] genotype in this study was closely related to G8P[6] strains first identified in Korea in 2017, but differed from G8P[6] strains detected in Africa.
Conclusions:
A novel G8P[6] genotype of RVA strains has emerged and caused outbreaks among neonates in Seoul. Continued surveillance for circulating RVA genotypes is imperative to monitor genotype changes and their potential risks to public health.
Related Concept Videos
00:36Viral Mutations
01:03Rous Sarcoma Virus (RSV) and Cancer
RSV is a retrovirus that contains two copies of a plus-strand RNA genome. Its genome consists of four main open...