title: Sequence analysis of VP7 and VP4 genes of G1P[8] rotaviruses circulating among diarrhoeic children in Pune, India: a comparison with Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccine strains.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The G1P[8] rotaviruses are a common cause of rotavirus diarrhoea among children in India. Two rotavirus vaccines licensed in India, Rotarix and RotaTeq, contain strains with G1 and P[8] genotypes. A comparative analysis of these genotypes in the live rotavirus vaccines with circulating rotavirus strains is essential for assessment of rotavirus diversity.
  
  
  METHODS
  G1P[8] strains detected during rotavirus surveillance among diarrhoeic children hospitalized in Pune in 1992-1993 and 2006-2008, were included in the study. Amplification, sequencing and phylogenetic analysis of the VP7 and VP4 genes were carried out for identification of the G1 and P[8] lineages, respectively. Antigenic epitopes of VP7 and VP4 encoded proteins were compared to determine the differences between the G1P[8] strains from Pune and the vaccine strains.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G1-Lineage 1, P[8]-Lineage 3 strains were predominant in Pune during 1992-1993 and 2006-2008. Strains of G1-Lineage 2, P[8]-Lineage 3 and G1-Lineage 1, P[8]-Lineage 4 were detected at low levels during 2006-2008. The G1-Lineage 1, P[8]-Lineage 3 strains showed up to eight amino acid changes, each in the VP7 and VP4 epitopes, with respect to the Rotarix vaccine strain (G1-Lineage 2, P[8]-Lineage 1) and the G1 (Lineage-3) and P[8] (Lineage 2) components of the RotaTeq vaccine. The G1-Lineage 2 strains were closer to both vaccine strains with no or only two amino acid substitutions in the VP7 epitopes. The divergent P[8]-Lineage 4 (OP354-like) strains showed fourteen and fifteen amino acid differences, with Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccine strains, respectively, in the VP4 epitopes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The differences between the G1P[8] strains in Pune and the G1 and P[8] components of the vaccine strains need to be described for appropriate evaluation of vaccine shedding. Continuous monitoring of the G1P[8] subgenotypic lineages would be necessary to study any long term impact of vaccine use on G1P[8] strain evolution.
authors.affiliation: Enteric Viruses Group, National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune-411001, India.
authors.forename: Ruta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kulkarni
authors.affiliation: Enteric Viruses Group, National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune-411001, India.
authors.forename: Ritu
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Division of Epidemiology and Communicable Diseases, Indian Council of Medical Research, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi-110029, India.
authors.forename: Rashmi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.affiliation: Enteric Viruses Group, National Institute of Virology, 20-A, Dr. Ambedkar Road, Pune-411001, India. Electronic address: drshobha.niv@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Shobha D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Chitambar
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000235:genetics*; D036022:Capsid Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000821:virology; D000939:Epitopes / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D007223:Infant; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D010802:Phylogeny; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000235:genetics*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000821:virology; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D036022:Capsid Proteins; D000939:Epitopes; C492457:RIX4414 vaccine; C492535:RotaTeq; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines; C060339:VP4 protein, Rotavirus; C050779:VP7 protein, Rotavirus; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated
keywords: Epitope; G1P[8] rotavirus; Subgenotypic lineage; VP4; VP7; Vaccine