title: [Evolution of group A Rotavirus strains circulating in Tunisia over a 3-year period (2005-2007)].
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 determine the evolution of group A Rotavirus strains circulating in Tunisia over a 3-year period (2005-2007).
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 1503 stool samples collected from children less than five years old, consulting or hospitalised in Tunisia for diarrhoea between 2005 and 2007, were screened for the presence of group A Rotaviruses. Rotavirus-positive specimens were further analyzed by PAGE and G/P-genotyped by multiplex semi-nested RT-PCR.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Rotaviruses were detected in 323 stool samples over 1503 (21 %). Long electropherotypes predominated in Tunisia during the whole period of study (N=158 vs N=82 short electropherotypes). VP7 genotyping showed the cocirculation of five different genotypes: G1, G2, G3, G4 and G9. VP4 typing detected four different P-genotypes: P[8], P[4], P[6] and P[11]. Rotavirus strains with G3P[8] specificity were predominating in Tunisia in 2005 and 2006, replaced by G2P[4] strains in 2007.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire MDT-01, faculté de pharmacie, Monastir, Tunisie.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Chouikha
authors.forename: M Ben Hadj
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Fredj
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Fodha
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Mathlouthi
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 / Q000235:genetics; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000821:virology; D005243:Feces / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000032:analysis; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D014416:Tunisia
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D012367:RNA, Viral; C060339:VP4 protein, Rotavirus; C050779:VP7 protein, Rotavirus