title: Subgroup determination of group A rotaviruses recovered from piglets in Nigeria.
abstract: Subgroup analysis using subgroup-specific monoclonal ELISA revealed a preponderance of subgroup 2-specific antigens of group A porcine rotaviruses over subgroup 1. Of 113 polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis-positive test samples, obtained from 4 States of Nigeria, 31 (27.4%) and 45 (39.8%) were determined to have subgroup 1 and 2 specificities, respectively. However, 37 (32.7%) test samples could not be classified into any of the known group A rotavirus subgroups. These "unclassifiable" samples probably had neither subgroup 1 nor 2 specificities in ELISA or could belong to a third subgroup unknown or not investigated in this study. In all age groups investigated, subgroup 1 and 2 specific antigens were prevalent. This was also observed after yearly analysis of subgroup specificity; however, a higher prevalence of subgroup 2 specificity was observed in 1990 and 1991. Subgroup 1 rotaviruses were found in all the 4 States sampled (Plateau, Benue, Oyo, and Cross River), whereas subgroup 2 rotaviruses were detected only in Plateau State. All rotaviruses recovered in this study had long genome electrophoretic migration patterns, irrespective of subgroup. Thus genomic diversity of group A rotaviruses does not necessarily reflect antigenic diversity, as there is no mandatory correlation between genome electropherotype pattern and subgroup specificity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biological Sciences, University of Agriculture, Makurdi, Nigeria.
authors.forename: D J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Atii
authors.forename: C K
authors.initials: CK
authors.lastname: Ojeh
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000097:blood; D000914:Antibodies, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D009549:Nigeria; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000276:immunology*; D012703:Serotyping; D013045:Species Specificity; D013552:Swine
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000914:Antibodies, Viral