title: Diversity of human rotavirus VP6, VP7, and VP4 in Lagos State, Nigeria.
abstract: This study investigated the diversity of rotavirus strains recovered from young children in Lagos, Nigeria, during December 1996-January 1997. In total, 287 children, aged 1-60 month(s), presenting with diarrhoea to the Gbaja Health Centre of Massey Street Children Hospital and the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, were included in the study. Rotavirus-positive specimens were characterized by monoclonal antibody enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for VP6 subgroup and VP7 serotype and by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for VP4 genotype and VP7 strains (that were non-reactive to ELISA). Of 84 samples tested for VP6 subgroup epitope, subgroup II was predominant (51%) with only a few subgroup I strains (4%), while many could not be typed at all (45%). For the VP7 serotypes, G1 was the most prevalent strain (45%), followed by G3 strains (5%). Neither G2 nor G4 strains were found, although mixed G1/G2 has been reported for the first time in Nigeria. Of strains that were non-reactive to ELISA, 29 (34%) could not be typed by PCR for G type. A subset of 23 samples was selected on the basis of RNA electropherotype, VP7 serotype, and included nine strains of VP7 that were non-reactive to ELISA. VP4 genotype of this subset was determined by PCR, and the most prevalent genotype was P[6] (30%), followed by P[8] (26%). Only one P[4] strain was identified. This study has shown the diversity of rotavirus strains circulating in West Africa.
authors.affiliation: Nigerian Institute for Medical Research, Edmond Crescent, Yaba.
authors.forename: Rosemary
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Audu
authors.forename: S Aremu
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Omilabu
authors.forename: Mariet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Beer
authors.forename: Ina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Peenze
authors.forename: A Duncan
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D002675:Child, Preschool; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D009549:Nigeria; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology