Potential zoonotic swine enteric viruses: The risk ignored for public health

Swine could serve as a natural reservoir for a large variety of viruses, including potential zoonotic enteric viruses. The presence of viruses with high genetic similarity between porcine and human strains may result in the emergence of zoonotic or xenozoonotic infections. Furthermore, the globalization and intensification of swine industries exacerbate the transmission and evolution of zoonotic viruses among swine herds and individuals working in swine-related occupations. To effectively prevent the public health risks posed by zoonotic swine enteric viruses, designing, and implementing a comprehensive measure for early diagnosis, prevention, and mitigation, requires interdisciplinary a collaborative ''One Health" approach from veterinarians, environmental and public health professionals, and the swine industry. In this paper, we reviewed the current knowledge of selected potential zoonotic swine enteric viruses and explored swine intensive production and its associated public health risks.

Multiple Introductions and Predominance of Rotavirus Group A Genotype G3P[8] in Kilifi, Coastal Kenya, 4 Years after Nationwide Vaccine Introduction

Globally, rotavirus group A (RVA) remains a major cause of severe childhood diarrhea, despite the use of vaccines in more than 100 countries. RVA sequencing for local outbreaks facilitates investigation into strain composition, origins, spread, and vaccine failure. In 2018, we collected 248 stool samples from children aged less than 13 years admitted with diarrheal illness to Kilifi County Hospital, coastal Kenya. Antigen screening detected RVA in 55 samples (22.2%). Of these, VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) segments were successfully sequenced in 48 (87.3%) and phylogenetic analysis based on the VP7 sequences identified seven genetic clusters with six different GP combinations: G3P[8], G1P[8], G2P[4], G2P[8], G9P[8] and G12P[8]. The G3P[8] strains predominated the season (n = 37, 67.2%) and comprised three distinct G3 genetic clusters that fell within Lineage I and IX (the latter also known as equine-like G3 Lineage). Both the two G3 lineages have been recently detected in several countries. Our study is the first to document African children infected with G3 Lineage IX. These data highlight the global nature of RVA transmission and the importance of increasing global rotavirus vaccine coverage.

Emergence of rotavirus G9 in 2012, as the dominant genotype in Turkish children with diarrhea, in a university hospital in Ankara

Introduction: Rotavirus infection is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in infants and young children with diarrhea throughout the world.

Material and Methods: In this study, we aimed to determine the detection rate of rotavirus infection in 181 children less than 5 years of age presenting with acute gastroenteritis and admitted to a tertiary care hospital in Ankara, Turkey, from April to November 2012. We documented the epidemiological data by elucidating the prevalent genotypes. Stool specimens were collected, and rotavirus antigen in the samples was detected using ELISA. G and P genotypes were determined by RT-PCR via type specific primers. The nucleotide sequence of the concerned genes was determined by Sanger sequencing and phylogenetic analysis was performed by neighbor-joining method.

Results: Of the 181 samples, 28 (15.5%) were positive for the rotavirus antigen. Twenty-seven samples were positive for G genotypes and 21 were positive for P genotypes. Genotypes G1 (7.1%), G2 (7.1%), G3 (7.1%), G4 (3.6%), G9 (71.5%) and P4 (3.6%), P8 (71.4%) were identified. Genotype G9P[8] (50%) was predominant in the combination of G and P genotypes. Most of the G9 strains of this study formed an independent cluster in Lineage III, except two strains which clustered with an Ethiopian G9 strain of 2012.

Conclusions: It seems that during 2012 season, genotype G9P[8] increased significantly in Ankara due to a new circulating strain of G9.