title: Analysis of rotavirus genotypes in Korea during 2013: an increase in the G2P[4] genotype after the introduction of rotavirus vaccines.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Group A rotavirus is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis in children worldwide. We investigated G and P genotypes of group A rotavirus strains isolated from patients during 2013 and investigated which genotypes were identified from vaccinated patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  From January to December 2013, 2235 fecal specimens were tested for rotavirus antigen, of which 374 specimens (16.7%) showed positive results. Strains from 288 rotavirus-positive specimens were genotyped using PCR and sequencing, and individual patients' corresponding vaccine histories were investigated through the Korean Center for Disease Control website.
  
  
  RESULTS
  G2 (22.6%) and P[4] (24.0%) were the most frequently identified G and P genotypes, respectively; accordingly, G2P[4] (19.8%) was the most prevalent G/P genotype observed in this period. G4P[6] (10.1%) was the second most prevalent G/P genotype and was mostly detected in neonates. Other genotypes, G1P[8], G9P[8], G1P[6], and G3P[6], were also detected. Of 288 rotavirus-positive specimens, 48 specimens were obtained from previously vaccinated patients. G2P[4] was also the genotype most frequently isolated from vaccinated patients. VP7 epitope analysis of G1P[8] and G2P[4] strains showed at least one amino acid differences in comparison with Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccine strains. The genotypic distribution of rotavirus strains in Korea has been shown temporal and geographical differences.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study showed that G2P[4] was the genotype most frequently isolated from both vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in Korea during 2013. However, it is unclear whether the change of predominant genotype is due to the effect of vaccination or due to natural variation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jae-Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea. Electronic address: hskim0901@empas.com.
authors.forename: Hyun Soo
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Jungwon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hyun
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Han-Sung
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Wonkeun
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Song
authors.affiliation: Department of Laboratory Medicine, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu Man
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Department of Pediatrics, Hallym University College of Medicine, Republic of Korea.
authors.forename: Seon-Hee
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D000956:Antigens, Viral / Q000302:isolation & purification; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D000939:Epitopes / Q000032:analysis; D005759:Gastroenteritis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D017720:Molecular Epidemiology; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000235:genetics; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification*; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control / Q000821:virology; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000956:Antigens, Viral; D000939:Epitopes; C492457:RIX4414 vaccine; D012367:RNA, Viral; C492535:RotaTeq; D022243:Rotavirus Vaccines; D014613:Vaccines, Attenuated
keywords: Genotype; Korea; Rotavirus; Vaccine