title: Relationship between electropherotypes and VP7/VP4 genotypes of group A rotaviruses detected between 2000 and 2007 in Tunisian children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Rotaviruses are the most frequent agents associated with diarrhoea in children worldwide. Analysis of mobility of the 11 segments of genomic RNA by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) yields a pattern which is characteristic for a particular rotavirus isolate. The group A rotaviruses can be further characterized by analysis of VP7 and VP4 genes specificities, responsible for rotavirus classification into G and P genotypes, respectively. The aim of the present study was to detect a relationship between electropherotype pattern and molecular characteristics of the rotavirus strains.
  
  
  METHODS
  Were analyzed 278 rotavirus-positive specimens by PAGE and G/P-genotyped by multiplex semi-nested RT-PCR. Pearson's correlation tests were used for statistical analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve different electropherotypes were visualized, eight with a long profile (186 cases) and four with a short one (87 cases). Concerning VP7 types, G2 viral strains were found to be predominant and were detected in 91 specimens (32.7%). Strains with G1, G3, G4, G8 and G9 specificities were detected in 62 (22.3%), 82 (29.5%), 13 (4.7%), two (0.7%) and seven cases (2.5%), respectively. The results of VP4 genotyping showed a predominance of P[8] genotype which comprised half of the strains identified (139 cases, 50%). VP4 P[4], P[6] and P[11] were found in 83 (29.9%), 31 (11.1%) and 11 (4.0%) specimens, respectively. A high rate of mixed strains was also found (1.8% mixed electropherotypes, 7.6% G-mixed and 5% P-mixed strains). Electropherotype pattern of rotavirus strains was significantly correlated with VP7 genotype (p=0.018) and with VP4 genotype specificities (p<0.001).
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Transmitted Diseases (MDT-01), Faculty of Pharmacy, Monastir, Tunisia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chouikha
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fodha
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ben Hadj Fredj
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ardhaoui
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Teleb
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Brini
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Messaadi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mastouri
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sfar
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hachicha
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kammoun
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouaaziz
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Amri
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Harbi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zribi
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bousnina
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Khemakhem
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Boujaafar
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Trabelsi
authors.forename: A D
authors.initials: AD
authors.lastname: Steele
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D002648:Child; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D004591:Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification / Q000235:genetics / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D016622:Silver Staining; D014416:Tunisia / Q000453:epidemiology
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; C060339:VP4 protein, Rotavirus; C050779:VP7 protein, Rotavirus