Determination of the G and P types of previously nontypeable rotavirus strains from the African Rotavirus Network, 1996-2004: Identification of unusual G types.
A total of 215 nontypeable rotavirus samples collected from children <5 years of age by members of the African Rotavirus Network were characterized using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and sequencing. The most predominant strain identified was P[8]G1 (46.9%). Genotypes P[8]G10, P[8]G8, P[6]G8, and P[7]G5 were also detected at frequencies varying from 0.5% to 2.3%. This study suggests that reassortment of unusual G types into a background of globally common genotype P[8] strains may be a major mechanism of generating rotavirus diversity. Nucleotide substitutions at the P[8], P[6], and G1 primer binding sites accounted for the failure to type these strains initially. Hence, these findings highlight the need for regular evaluation of rotavirus genotyping methods.
Esona
Mathew Dioh
MD
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. mdi4@cdc.gov
Steele
Duncan
D
Kerin
Tara
T
Armah
George
G
Peenze
Ina
I
Geyer
Annelise
A
Page
Nicola
N
Nyangao
James
J
Agbaya
Veronique Akran
VA
Trabelsi
Abdelhalim
A
Tsion
Bizuneh
B
Aminu
Maryam
M
Sebunya
Theresia
T
Dewar
John
J
Glass
Roger
R
Gentsch
Jon
J
D000349:Africa / Q000453:epidemiology; D015967:Gene Expression Regulation, Viral / Q000502:physiology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology; D012703:Serotyping; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
D014764:Viral Proteins