Evolution of DS-1-like human G2P[4] rotaviruses assessed by complete genome analyses.
Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are a leading cause of viral gastroenteritis in children, with G2P[4] RVA being one of the most common human strains worldwide. The complete genome sequences of nine G2P[4] RVA strains, selected from a 26-year archival collection (1985-2011) established in Palermo, Italy, were determined. A strain associated with a peak of G2P[4] RVA activity in 1996 resembled a reassortant strain identified in Kenya in 1982 and differed completely in genomic make up from more recent strains that circulated during 2004-2011. Conversely, the 2004-2011 G2P[4] RVAs were genetically more similar to contemporary RVA strains circulating globally. Recent G2P[4] strains possessed either single or multiple genome segments (VP1, VP3 and/or NSP4) likely derived from ruminant viruses through intra-genotype reassortment. Amino acid substitutions were selected and maintained over time in the VP7 and VP8* antigenic proteins, allowing the circulation of two contemporary G2P[4] variants to be distinguished. Altogether, these findings suggest that major changes in the genomic composition of recent G2P[4] RVAs occurred in the early 2000s, leading to the appearance of a novel variant of the DS-1-like genotype constellation. Whether the modifications observed in the neutralizing antigens and in the genome composition of modern G2P[4] RVAs may affect the long-term effectiveness of the vaccination programmes remains to be explored.
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute 'G. D'Alessandro', Università di Palermo, Italy.
Giovanni M
GM
Giammanco
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute 'G. D'Alessandro', Università di Palermo, Italy.
Floriana
F
Bonura
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Mark
M
Zeller
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Elisabeth
E
Heylen
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Marc
M
Van Ranst
Dipartimento di Sanità Pubblica e Zootecnia, Università Aldo Moro di Bari, Valenzano, Italy.
Vito
V
Martella
Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Centre for Agricultural Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
Kristián
K
Bányai
Laboratory of Clinical and Epidemiological Virology, Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium.
Jelle
J
Matthijnssens
Dipartimento di Scienze per la Promozione della Salute 'G. D'Alessandro', Università di Palermo, Italy.
Simona
S
De Grazia
D000595:Amino Acid Sequence; D019143:Evolution, Molecular; D016679:Genome, Viral; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000737:chemistry / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000235:genetics / Q000821:virology*; D016415:Sequence Alignment; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics / Q000276:immunology
D014764:Viral Proteins