title: Full genome characterization of human Rotavirus A strains isolated in Cameroon, 2010-2011: diverse combinations of the G and P genes and lack of reassortment of the backbone genes.
abstract: Over the past few years whole genome sequencing of rotaviruses has become a routine laboratory method in many strain surveillance studies. To study the molecular evolutionary pattern of representative Cameroonian Rotavirus A (RVA) strains, the semiconductor sequencing approach was used following random amplification of genomic RNA. In total, 31 RVA strains collected during 2010-2011 in three Cameroonian study sites located 120 to 1240 km from each other were sequenced and analyzed. Sequence analysis of the randomly selected representative strains showed that 18 RVAs were Wa-like, expressing G1P[6], G12P[6], or G12P[8] neutralization antigens on the genotype 1 genomic constellation (I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1), whereas 13 other strains were DS-1-like, expressing G2P[4], G2P[6], G3P[6], and G6P[6] on the genotype 2 genomic constellation (I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2). No inter-genogroup reassortment in the backbone genes was observed. Phylogenetic analysis of the Cameroonian G6P[6] strains indicated the separation of the strains identified in the Far North region (Maroua) and the Northwest region (Bamenda and Esu) into two branches that is consistent with multiple introductions of G6P[6] strains into this country. The present whole genome based molecular characterization study indicates that the emerging G6P[6] strain is fully heterotypic to Rotarix, the vaccine introduced during 2014 in childhood immunization program in Cameroon. Continuous strain monitoring is therefore needed in this area and elsewhere to see if G6s, besides genotype G1 to G4, G8, G9 and G12, may become a new, regionally important genotype in the post vaccine licensure era in Africa.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon. Electronic address: valentinengum@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Valentine Ngum
authors.initials: VN
authors.lastname: Ndze
authors.affiliation: Division of Viral Diseases, National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Mathew Dioh
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Esona
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Sciences, University of Buea, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Eric Akum
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Achidi
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Kamga Hortense
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Gonsu
authors.affiliation: Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Renáta
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Dóró
authors.affiliation: Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Szilvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Marton
authors.affiliation: Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary.
authors.forename: Szilvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Farkas
authors.affiliation: Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, Regional Hospital Maroua, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Marxcel Bong
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Ngeng
authors.affiliation: Regional Hospital Laboratory Bamenda, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Akum Felix
authors.initials: AF
authors.lastname: Ngu
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon.
authors.forename: Marie Therese
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Obama-Abena
authors.affiliation: Institute for Veterinary Medical Research, Hungarian Academy of Sciences, Budapest, Hungary. Electronic address: bkrota@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Krisztián
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bányai
mesh_terms: D002163:Cameroon / Q000453:epidemiology; D014644:Genetic Variation; D016679:Genome, Viral; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D010802:Phylogeny; D012367:RNA, Viral; D016865:Reassortant Viruses; D012401:Rotavirus / Q000145:classification* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000302:isolation & purification; D012400:Rotavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000821:virology*; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D014764:Viral Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D012367:RNA, Viral; D014764:Viral Proteins
keywords: Cameroon; Ion Torrent PGM; Phylogeny; Rotavirus A genomics