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Doan YH, Dennis FE, Takemae N, Haga K, Shimizu H, Appiah MG, Lartey BL, Damanka SA, Hayashi T, Suzuki T, Kageyama T, Armah GE, Katayama K. Emergence of Intergenogroup Reassortant G9P[4] Strains Following Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction in Ghana. Viruses 2023; 15:2453. [PMID: 38140694 PMCID: PMC10747750 DOI: 10.3390/v15122453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/16/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Rotavirus (RVA) is a leading cause of childhood gastroenteritis. RVA vaccines have reduced the global disease burden; however, the emergence of intergenogroup reassortant strains is a growing concern. During surveillance in Ghana, we observed the emergence of G9P[4] RVA strains in the fourth year after RVA vaccine introduction. To investigate whether Ghanaian G9P[4] strains also exhibited the DS-1-like backbone, as seen in reassortant G1/G3/G8/G9 strains found in other countries in recent years, this study determined the whole genome sequences of fifteen G9P[4] and two G2P[4] RVA strains detected during 2015-2016. The results reveal that the Ghanaian G9P[4] strains exhibited a double-reassortant genotype, with G9-VP7 and E6-NSP4 genes on a DS-1-like backbone (G9-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E6-H2). Although they shared a common ancestor with G9P[4] DS-1-like strains from other countries, further intra-reassortment events were observed among the original G9P[4] and co-circulating strains in Ghana. In the post-vaccine era, there were significant changes in the distribution of RVA genotype constellations, with unique strains emerging, indicating an impact beyond natural cyclical fluctuations. However, reassortant strains may exhibit instability and have a limited duration of appearance. Current vaccines have shown efficacy against DS-1-like strains; however, ongoing surveillance in fully vaccinated children is crucial for addressing concerns about long-term effectiveness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen Hai Doan
- Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.H.D.)
| | - Francis Ekow Dennis
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
| | - Nobuhiro Takemae
- Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.H.D.)
| | - Kei Haga
- Laboratory of Viral Infection, Department of Infection Control and Immunology, Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute & Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Shimizu
- Department of Virology II, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan
| | - Michael Gyasi Appiah
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
- Department of Pharmacological Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Belinda Larteley Lartey
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
| | - Susan Afua Damanka
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
| | - Takaya Hayashi
- Department of Molecular Virology, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
| | - Toshihiko Suzuki
- Department of Bacterial Pathogenesis, Infection and Host Response, Graduate School of Medical and Dental Sciences, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8549, Japan
| | - Tsutomu Kageyama
- Center for Emergency Preparedness and Response, National Institute of Infectious Diseases, Tokyo 208-0011, Japan; (Y.H.D.)
| | - George Enyimah Armah
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra P.O. Box LG 581, Ghana
| | - Kazuhiko Katayama
- Laboratory of Viral Infection, Department of Infection Control and Immunology, Ōmura Satoshi Memorial Institute & Graduate School of Infection Control Sciences, Kitasato University, Tokyo 108-8641, Japan
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2
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Tahar AS, Ong EJ, Rahardja A, Mamora D, Lim KT, Ahmed K, Kulai D, Tan CS. Emergence of equine-like G3 and porcine-like G9 rotavirus strains in Sarawak, Malaysia: 2019-2021. J Med Virol 2023; 95:e28987. [PMID: 37501648 DOI: 10.1002/jmv.28987] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Rotavirus is the leading causative viral agent of pediatric acute gastroenteritis globally, infecting mostly children 5 years old and below. Data on rotavirus prevalence in Malaysia is scarce, despite the WHO's recommendation for continuous rotavirus surveillance, and has underestimated the need for national rotavirus vaccination. Characteristics of the current rotavirus strains in Malaysia have to be determined to understand the rotavirus epidemiology and vaccine compatibility. This study sought to determine the genetic relatedness of Sarawak rotavirus strains with global strains and to determine the antigenic coverage and epitope compatibility of Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines with the Sarawak rotavirus strains via in silico analysis. A total of 89 stool samples were collected from pediatric patients (<5 years old) with acute gastroenteritis at private hospitals in Kuching, Sarawak. Rotavirus was detected using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Positive amplicons were analyzed using nucleotide sequencing before phylogenetic analyses and assessment of epitope compatibility. Genotyping revealed G1P[8] (1/13; 7.7%), G3P[8] (3/13; 23%), G9P[4] (1/13; 7.7%), and G9P[8] (3/13; 23%), G9P[X] (1/13; 7.7%), GXP[4] (1/13; 7.7%), and GXP[8] (3/13; 23%) in samples. All wild-type Sarawak rotavirus strains, with the exception of G1, showed variations in their phylogenetic and antigenic epitope characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmad Syatir Tahar
- Centre for Tropical and Emerging Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Eng Joe Ong
- Borneo Medical Centre, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | - Dewi Mamora
- Borneo Medical Centre, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | | | - Kamruddin Ahmed
- Department of Pathobiology and Medical Diagnostics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
- Borneo Medical and Health Research Centre, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sabah, Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia
| | - Dorothy Kulai
- Universiti Teknologi Mara Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
| | - Cheng Siang Tan
- Centre for Tropical and Emerging Diseases, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia
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3
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Mhango C, Banda A, Chinyama E, Mandolo JJ, Kumwenda O, Malamba-Banda C, Barnes KG, Kumwenda B, Jambo KC, Donato CM, Esona MD, Mwangi PN, Steele AD, Iturriza-Gomara M, Cunliffe NA, Ndze VN, Kamng’ona AW, Dennis FE, Nyaga MM, Chaguza C, Jere KC. Comparative whole genome analysis reveals re-emergence of human Wa-like and DS-1-like G3 rotaviruses after Rotarix vaccine introduction in Malawi. Virus Evol 2023; 9:vead030. [PMID: 37305707 PMCID: PMC10256189 DOI: 10.1093/ve/vead030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 04/12/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/13/2023] Open
Abstract
G3 rotaviruses rank among the most common rotavirus strains worldwide in humans and animals. However, despite a robust long-term rotavirus surveillance system from 1997 at Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital in Blantyre, Malawi, these strains were only detected from 1997 to 1999 and then disappeared and re-emerged in 2017, 5 years after the introduction of the Rotarix rotavirus vaccine. Here, we analysed representative twenty-seven whole genome sequences (G3P[4], n = 20; G3P[6], n = 1; and G3P[8], n = 6) randomly selected each month between November 2017 and August 2019 to understand how G3 strains re-emerged in Malawi. We found four genotype constellations that were associated with the emergent G3 strains and co-circulated in Malawi post-Rotarix vaccine introduction: G3P[4] and G3P[6] strains with the DS-1-like genetic backbone genes (G3-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 and G3-P[6]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2), G3P[8] strains with the Wa-like genetic backbone genes (G3-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1), and reassortant G3P[4] strains consisting of the DS-1-like genetic backbone genes and a Wa-like NSP2 (N1) gene (G3-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N1-T2-E2-H2). Time-resolved phylogenetic trees demonstrated that the most recent common ancestor for each ribonucleic acid (RNA) segment of the emergent G3 strains was between 1996 and 2012, possibly through introductions from outside the country due to the limited genetic similarity with G3 strains which circulated before their disappearance in the late 1990s. Further genomic analysis revealed that the reassortant DS-1-like G3P[4] strains acquired a Wa-like NSP2 genome segment (N1 genotype) through intergenogroup reassortment; an artiodactyl-like VP3 through intergenogroup interspecies reassortment; and VP6, NSP1, and NSP4 segments through intragenogroup reassortment likely before importation into Malawi. Additionally, the emergent G3 strains contain amino acid substitutions within the antigenic regions of the VP4 proteins which could potentially impact the binding of rotavirus vaccine-induced antibodies. Altogether, our findings show that multiple strains with either Wa-like or DS-1-like genotype constellations have driven the re-emergence of G3 strains. The findings also highlight the role of human mobility and genome reassortment events in the cross-border dissemination and evolution of rotavirus strains in Malawi necessitating the need for long-term genomic surveillance of rotavirus in high disease-burden settings to inform disease prevention and control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chimwemwe Mhango
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Akuzike Banda
- Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science, University of Malawi, Zomba 305205, Malawi
| | - End Chinyama
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Jonathan J Mandolo
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Orpha Kumwenda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Chikondi Malamba-Banda
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- Department of Biological Sciences, Academy of Medical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology, Thyolo 310105, Malawi
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Health Profession, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Kayla G Barnes
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Benjamin Kumwenda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Kondwani C Jambo
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool L3 5QA, UK
| | - Celeste M Donato
- Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Melbourne 3052, Australia
- Department of Paediatrics, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Mathew D Esona
- Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Peter N Mwangi
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - A Duncan Steele
- Diarrhoeal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
| | - Miren Iturriza-Gomara
- Centre for Vaccine Innovation and Access, Program for Appropriate Technology in Health (PATH), Geneva 1218, Switzerland
| | - Nigel A Cunliffe
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - Valentine N Ndze
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, PO Box 63, Buea, Cameroon
| | - Arox W Kamng’ona
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Allied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Francis E Dennis
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, Accra, P. O. Box LG 581, Legon, Ghana
| | | | - Chrispin Chaguza
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- Department of Epidemiology of Microbial Diseases, Yale School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
- NIHR Mucosal Pathogens Research Unit, Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
- Yale Institute for Global Health, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06510, USA
| | - Khuzwayo C Jere
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Clinical Research Programme, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Faculty of Biomedical Sciences and Health Profession, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- NIHR Health Protection Research Unit in Gastrointestinal Infections, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
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4
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Gutierrez MB, de Assis RMS, Arantes I, Fumian TM. Full genotype constellations analysis of unusual DS-1-like G12P[6] and G6P[8] rotavirus strains detected in Brazil, 2019. Virology 2022; 577:74-83. [PMID: 36323046 DOI: 10.1016/j.virol.2022.10.010] [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: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 10/20/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Abstract
Rotavirus A (RVA) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children worldwide. We report unusual RVA G12P[6] and G6P[8] strains isolated from fecal samples from Brazilian children hospitalized for AGE. The characterized RVA have genome segments backbone: G12-P[6]/ G6-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 of DS-1-like genogroup. Our study describes the first identification of G6P[8], a DS-1-like genogroup strain. Nucleotide analysis of VP7 and VP4 genes revealed that all G12 Brazilian strains clustered into the sub-lineages IIIB, mostly associated with P[6] lineage I. Additionally, our G6 lineage I strains were closely related to German G6 genotypes, bound with P[8] lineage III, differing from both vaccine strains. The comparative sequence analysis of our strains with vaccine strains revealed amino acid substitutions located in immunodominant regions of VP7 and VP4 proteins. Continuous monitoring of RVA genotypes is essential to evaluate the impact of vaccination on the dynamic nature of RVA evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meylin Bautista Gutierrez
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Rosane Maria Santos de Assis
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Ighor Arantes
- Laboratory of Respiratory Viruses and Measles, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil
| | - Tulio Machado Fumian
- Laboratory of Comparative and Environmental Virology, Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), Av. Brasil, 4365, Rio de Janeiro, RJ 21040-360, Brazil.
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5
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Were FN, Jere KC, Armah GE, Mphahlele MJ, Mwenda JM, Steele AD. Maintaining Momentum for Rotavirus Immunization in Africa during the COVID-19 Era: Report of the 13th African Rotavirus Symposium. Vaccines (Basel) 2022; 10:vaccines10091463. [PMID: 36146541 PMCID: PMC9503285 DOI: 10.3390/vaccines10091463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 08/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The 13th African Rotavirus Symposium was held as a virtual event hosted by the University of Nairobi, Kenya and The Kenya Paediatric Association on 3rd and 4th November 2021. This biennial event organized under the auspices of the African Rotavirus Network shapes the agenda for rotavirus research and prevention on the continent, attracting key international and regional opinion leaders, researchers, and public health scientists. The African Rotavirus Network is a regional network of institutions initially established in 1999, and now encompassing much of the diarrheal disease and rotavirus related research in Africa, in collaboration with the World Health Organization African Regional Office (WHO-AFRO), Ministries of Health, and other partners. Surges in SARS-CoV2 variants and concomitant travel restrictions limited the meeting to a webinar platform with invited scientific presentations and scientific presentations from selected abstracts. The scientific program covered updates on burden of diarrheal diseases including rotavirus, the genomic characterization of rotavirus strains pre- and post-rotavirus vaccine introduction, and data from clinical evaluation of new rotavirus vaccines in Africa. Finally, 42 of the 54 African countries have fully introduced rotavirus vaccination at the time of the meeting, including the two recently WHO pre-qualified vaccines from India. Nonetheless, the full benefit of rotavirus vaccination is yet to be realized in Africa where approximately 80% of the global burden of rotavirus mortality exists.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frederick N. Were
- Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Nairobi, Nairobi 00625, Kenya
- Kenya Paediatric Association, Nairobi 00100, Kenya
| | - Khuzwayo C. Jere
- Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Program, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
- Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool L69 7BE, UK
| | - George E. Armah
- Noguchi Memorial Institute of Medical Research, University of Ghana, Legon, Accra LG 581, Ghana
| | | | - Jason M. Mwenda
- WHO Regional Office for Africa, Brazzaville P.O. Box 2465, Congo
| | - A. Duncan Steele
- Department of Virology, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Pretoria 0204, South Africa
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-(206)-915-3677
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6
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Mwangi PN, Page NA, Seheri ML, Mphahlele MJ, Nadan S, Esona MD, Kumwenda B, Kamng'ona AW, Donato CM, Steele DA, Ndze VN, Dennis FE, Jere KC, Nyaga MM. Evolutionary changes between pre- and post-vaccine South African group A G2P[4] rotavirus strains, 2003-2017. Microb Genom 2022; 8. [PMID: 35446251 PMCID: PMC9453071 DOI: 10.1099/mgen.0.000809] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The transient upsurge of G2P[4] group A rotavirus (RVA) after Rotarix vaccine introduction in several countries has been a matter of concern. To gain insight into the diversity and evolution of G2P[4] strains in South Africa pre- and post-RVA vaccination introduction, whole-genome sequencing was performed for RVA positive faecal specimens collected between 2003 and 2017 and samples previously sequenced were obtained from GenBank (n=103; 56 pre- and 47 post-vaccine). Pre-vaccine G2 sequences predominantly clustered within sub-lineage IVa-1. In contrast, post-vaccine G2 sequences clustered mainly within sub-lineage IVa-3, whereby a radical amino acid (AA) substitution, S15F, was observed between the two sub-lineages. Pre-vaccine P[4] sequences predominantly segregated within sub-lineage IVa while post-vaccine sequences clustered mostly within sub-lineage IVb, with a radical AA substitution R162G. Both S15F and R162G occurred outside recognised antigenic sites. The AA residue at position 15 is found within the signal sequence domain of Viral Protein 7 (VP7) involved in translocation of VP7 into endoplasmic reticulum during infection process. The 162 AA residue lies within the hemagglutination domain of Viral Protein 4 (VP4) engaged in interaction with sialic acid-containing structure during attachment to the target cell. Free energy change analysis on VP7 indicated accumulation of stable point mutations in both antigenic and non-antigenic regions. The segregation of South African G2P[4] strains into pre- and post-vaccination sub-lineages is likely due to erstwhile hypothesized stepwise lineage/sub-lineage evolution of G2P[4] strains rather than RVA vaccine introduction. Our findings reinforce the need for continuous whole-genome RVA surveillance and investigation of contribution of AA substitutions in understanding the dynamic G2P[4] epidemiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter N Mwangi
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
| | - Nicola A Page
- Centre for Enteric Disease, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, 2131, Johannesburg, South Africa.,Department of Medical Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Pretoria, Private Bag X323, Arcadia, 0007, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Mapaseka L Seheri
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - M Jeffrey Mphahlele
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, Pretoria, South Africa.,Office of the Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation, North-West University, Potchefstroom 2351, South Africa.,South African Medical Research Council, Pretoria 0001, South Africa
| | - Sandrama Nadan
- Centre for Enteric Disease, National Institute for Communicable Diseases, Private Bag X4, Sandringham, 2131, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Mathew D Esona
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Benjamin Kumwenda
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Applied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Arox W Kamng'ona
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Applied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre 3, Malawi
| | - Celeste M Donato
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, School of Life Sciences and Applied Health Professions, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Private Bag 360, Chichiri, Blantyre3, Malawi.,Enteric Diseases Group, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, Melboune 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, the University of Melbourne, Parkville 3010, Australia
| | - Duncan A Steele
- Diarrheal Pathogens Research Unit, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University, Medunsa 0204, Pretoria, South Africa
| | - Valantine N Ndze
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, P.O Box 63 Buea, Cameroon
| | - Francis E Dennis
- Department of Electron Microscopy and Histopathology, Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research, University of Ghana, P.O Box LG581, Legon, Ghana
| | - Khuzwayo C Jere
- Center for Global Vaccine Research, Institute of Infection, Veterinary and Ecological Sciences, University of Liverpool, L697BE, Liverpool, UK.,Malawi-Liverpool-Wellcome Trust Clinical Research Programme, Blantyre 312225, Malawi
| | - Martin M Nyaga
- Next Generation Sequencing Unit and Division of Virology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa
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7
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Whole genome analysis of rotavirus strains circulating in Benin before vaccine introduction, 2016-2018. Virus Res 2022; 313:198715. [PMID: 35247484 DOI: 10.1016/j.virusres.2022.198715] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2021] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
Species A Rotaviruses (RVA) still play a major role in causing acute diarrhea in children under five years old worldwide. Currently, an 11-gene classification system is used to designate the full genotypic constellations of circulating strains. Viral proteins and non-structural proteins in the order VP7-VP4-VP6-VP1-VP2-VP3-NSP1-NSP2-NSP3-NSP4-NSP5/6 are represented by the genotypes Gx-P[x]-Ix-Rx-Cx-Mx-Ax-Nx-Tx-Ex-Hx, respectively. In Benin, ROTAVAC® vaccine was introduced into the Expanded Programme on Immunization in December 2019. To monitor circulating RVA strains for changes that may affect vaccine performance, in-depth analysis of strains prior to vaccine introduction are needed. Here we report, the whole-gene characterization (11 ORFs) for 72 randomly selected RVA strains of common and unusual genotypes collected in Benin from the 2016-2018 seasons. The sequenced strains were 15 G1P[8], 20 G2P[4], 5 G9P[8], 14 G12P[8], 9 G3P[6], 2 G1P[6], 3 G2P[6], 2 G9P[4], 1 G12P[6], and 1 G1G9P[8]/P[4]. The study strains exhibited two genetic constellations designed as Wa-like G1/G9/G12-P[6]/P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1 and DS-1-like G2/G3/G12-P[4]/P[6]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2. Genotype G9P[4] strains possessed a DS-1-like genetic constellation with an E6 NSP4 gene, G9-P[4]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E6-H2. The mixed genotype showed both Wa-like and DS-1-like profiles with a T6 NSP3 gene G1/G9P[8]/[4]-I1/I2-R1/R2-C1/C2-M1/M2-A1/A2-N1/N2-T1/T6-E1/E6-H1/H2. At the allelic level, the analysis of the Benin strains, reference strains (with known alleles), vaccine strains (with known alleles) identified 2-13 and 1-17 alleles for DS-1-like and Wa-like strains, respectively. Most of the study strains clustered into previously defined alleles, but we defined 3 new alleles for the VP7 (G3=1 new allele and G12=2 new alleles) and VP4 (P[4]=1 new allele and P[6]=2 new alleles) genes which formed the basis of the VP7 and VP4 gene clusters, respectively. For the remaining 9 genes, 0-6 new alleles were identified for both Wa-like and DS-1-like strains. This analysis of whole genome sequences of RVA strains circulating in Benin described genetic point mutations and reassortment events as well as novel alleles. Further detailed studies on these new alleles are needed and these data can also provide a baseline for studies on RVA in the post-vaccination period.
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