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Genetic and antigenic analysis of human rotavirus prevalent in Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia
S M elAssouli1, Z M Banjar, K A Mohammed
1Department of Medical Biology, School of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Insights
This study analyzed human rotavirus strains in Saudi Arabia, finding diverse subgroups and serotypes in young children. Rotavirus RNA patterns did not correlate with specific subgroups or serotypes.
Area of Science:
- Virology
- Epidemiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease in infants and young children globally.
- Understanding the genetic diversity of rotavirus strains is crucial for vaccine development and public health strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the subgroup, serotype, and electropherotype diversity of human rotavirus (HRV) strains in diarrheic children in Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia.
- To determine the prevalence of different rotavirus strains and their association with age groups.
Main Methods:
- A group-A specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used to detect rotavirus in 349 fecal samples.
- Monoclonal antibodies were employed for rotavirus subgrouping and serotyping.
- Electrophoretic analysis of viral RNA was performed to determine electropherotypes.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 150 (43%) of the samples, primarily from children under 2 years old (87%).
- Commonly identified strains included subgroup II (59%) and serotype 1 (43%).
- Eleven distinct RNA patterns were observed, with a majority exhibiting long patterns (78%), but no correlation was found between RNA patterns, subgroups, or serotypes.
Conclusions:
- The study highlights significant genetic diversity among human rotavirus strains circulating in Saudi Arabia.
- The findings underscore the need for continuous surveillance of rotavirus strains to inform effective control and prevention measures.
- The lack of association between RNA patterns and specific subgroups/serotypes suggests complex viral evolution or limitations in current typing methods.
Abstract:
The subgroup, serotype and electropherotype diversity of human rotavirus strains was investigated in Al-Taif, Saudi Arabia. Out of 349 faecal samples collected from diarrhoeic children, 150 (43 percent) tested rotavirus positive by a group-A specific enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The majority (87 percent) of the infected children were below 2 years of age. Subgrouping and serotyping of rotaviruses with specific monoclonal antibodies showed that of the 150 rotavirus positive specimens, 17 percent belonged to subgroup I, 59 per cent belonged to subgroup II, and 24 percent were neither subgroup I nor subgroup II. The specimens were typed, as serotype 1 (43 percent), serotype 2 (5 percent), serotype 3 (11 percent), serotype 4 (10 percent) or mixed serotypes (3 percent). The remaining 41 (27 percent) specimens were untypeable. None of the serotypes showed association with a particular age group. An electrophoretic analysis of viral RNA revealed 11 distinct patterns (six long and five short). The majority, 78 percent were long patterns and 22 percent were short patterns. Analysis of the specimens for which subgroups, serotypes and electropherotypes were available indicated that a given RNA pattern does not correspond to a particular subgroup or serotype.