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Tatsi EB, Koukou DM, Dellis C, Dourdouna MM, Efthymiou V, Michos A, Syriopoulou V. Epidemiological study of unusual rotavirus strains and molecular characterization of emerging P[14] strains isolated from children with acute gastroenteritis during a 15-year period. Arch Virol 2023; 168:149. [PMID: 37129790 PMCID: PMC10151219 DOI: 10.1007/s00705-023-05769-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Rotavirus group A (RVA) is characterized by molecular and epidemiological diversity. To date, 42 G and 58 P RVA genotypes have been identified, some of which, like P[14], have a zoonotic origin. In this study, we describe the epidemiology of unusual RVA genotypes and the molecular characteristics of P[14] strains. Fecal samples from children ≤ 16 years of age with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) who were hospitalized during 2007-2021 in Greece were tested for RVA by immunochromatography. Positive RVA samples were G and P genotyped, and part of the VP7 and VP4 genes were sequenced by the Sanger method. Epidemiological data were also recorded. Phylogenetic analysis of P[14] was performed using MEGA 11 software. Sixty-two (1.4%) out of 4427 children with RVA AGE were infected with an unusual G (G6/G8/G10) or P (P[6]/P[9]/P[10]/P[11]/P[14]) genotype. Their median (IQR) age was 18.7 (37.3) months, and 67.7% (42/62) were males. None of the children were vaccinated against RVA. P[9] (28/62; 45.2%) was the most common unusual genotype, followed by P[14] (12/62; 19.4%). In the last two years, during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic, an emergence of P[14] was observed (5/12, 41.6%) after an 8-year absence. The highest prevalence of P[14] infection was seen in the spring (91.7%). The combinations G8P[14] (41.7%), G6P[14] (41.7%), and G4P[14] (16.6%) were also detected. Phylogenetic analysis showed a potential evolutionary relationship of three human RVA P[14] strains to a fox strain from Croatia. These findings suggest a possible zoonotic origin of P[14] and interspecies transmission between nondomestic animals and humans, which may lead to new RVA genotypes with unknown severity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth-Barbara Tatsi
- First Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece.
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece.
| | - Dimitra-Maria Koukou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Charilaos Dellis
- First Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Maria-Myrto Dourdouna
- First Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Efthymiou
- University Research Institute of Maternal and Child Health and Precision Medicine, Athens, Greece
| | - Athanasios Michos
- First Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece
| | - Vasiliki Syriopoulou
- First Department of Pediatrics, Infectious Diseases and Chemotherapy Research Laboratory, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, "Aghia Sophia" Children's Hospital, Athens, 11527, Greece
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Omatola CA, Olaniran AO. Genetic heterogeneity of group A rotaviruses: a review of the evolutionary dynamics and implication on vaccination. Expert Rev Anti Infect Ther 2022; 20:1587-1602. [PMID: 36285575 DOI: 10.1080/14787210.2022.2139239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Human rotavirus remains a major etiology of acute gastroenteritis among under 5-year children worldwide despite the availability of oral vaccines. The genetic instability of rotavirus and the ability to form different combinations from the different G- and P-types reshapes the antigenic landscape of emerging strains which often display limited or no antigen identities with the vaccine strain. As evidence also suggests, the selection of the antigenically distinct novel or rare strains and their successful spread in the human population has raised concerns regarding undermining the effectiveness of vaccination programs. AREAS COVERED We review aspects related to current knowledge about genetic and antigenic heterogeneity of rotavirus, the mechanism of genetic diversity and evolution, and the implication of genetic change on vaccination. EXPERT OPINION Genetic changes in the segmented genome of rotavirus can alter the antigenic landscape on the virion capsid and further promote viral fitness in a fully vaccinated population. Against this background, the potential risk of the appearance of new rotavirus strains over the long term would be better predicted by a continued and increased close monitoring of the variants across the globe to identify any change associated with disease dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cornelius A Omatola
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Republic of South Africa
| | - Ademola O Olaniran
- Discipline of Microbiology, School of Life Sciences, College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, Republic of South Africa
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El-Attar EA, Helmy Elkaffas RM, Aglan SA, Naga IS, Nabil A, Abdallah HY. Genomics in Egypt: Current Status and Future Aspects. Front Genet 2022; 13:797465. [PMID: 35664315 PMCID: PMC9157251 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.797465] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Egypt is the third most densely inhabited African country. Due to the economic burden and healthcare costs of overpopulation, genomic and genetic testing is a huge challenge. However, in the era of precision medicine, Egypt is taking a shift in approach from “one-size-fits all” to more personalized healthcare via advancing the practice of medical genetics and genomics across the country. This shift necessitates concrete knowledge of the Egyptian genome and related diseases to direct effective preventive, diagnostic and counseling services of prevalent genetic diseases in Egypt. Understanding disease molecular mechanisms will enhance the capacity for personalized interventions. From this perspective, we highlight research efforts and available services for rare genetic diseases, communicable diseases including the coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID19), and cancer. The current state of genetic services in Egypt including availability and access to genetic services is described. Drivers for applying genomics in Egypt are illustrated with a SWOT analysis of the current genetic/genomic services. Barriers to genetic service development in Egypt, whether economic, geographic, cultural or educational are discussed as well. The sensitive topic of communicating genomic results and its ethical considerations is also tackled. To understand disease pathogenesis, much can be gained through the advancement and integration of genomic technologies via clinical applications and research efforts in Egypt. Three main pillars of multidisciplinary collaboration for advancing genomics in Egypt are envisaged: resources, infrastructure and training. Finally, we highlight the recent national plan to establish a genome center that will aim to prepare a map of the Egyptian human genome to discover and accurately determine the genetic characteristics of various diseases. The Reference Genome Project for Egyptians and Ancient Egyptians will initialize a new genomics era in Egypt. We propose a multidisciplinary governance system in Egypt to support genomic medicine research efforts and integrate into the healthcare system whilst ensuring ethical conduct of data.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eman Ahmed El-Attar
- Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
- *Correspondence: Eman Ahmed El-Attar,
| | | | - Sarah Ahmed Aglan
- Chemical Pathology Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Iman S. Naga
- Department of Microbiology, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Amira Nabil
- Department of Human Genetics, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - Hoda Y. Abdallah
- Medical Genetics Unit, Histology and Cell Biology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
- Center of Excellence in Molecular and Cellular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia, Egypt
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