Rotavirus G and P types in children with acute diarrhea in Blantyre, Malawi, from 1997 to 1998: Predominance of novel P[6]G8 Strains
✍ Scribed by Cunliffe, Nigel A.; Gondwe, Jailosi S.; Broadhead, Robin L.; Molyneux, Malcolm E.; Woods, Patricia A.; Bresee, Joseph S.; Glass, Roger I.; Gentsch, Jon R.; Hart, C. Anthony
- Publisher
- John Wiley and Sons
- Year
- 1999
- Tongue
- English
- Weight
- 251 KB
- Volume
- 57
- Category
- Article
- ISSN
- 0146-6615
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✦ Synopsis
One hundred rotavirus strains detected in children with acute diarrhea in Blantyre, Malawi, between July 1997 and January 1998 were characterized for G (VP7) and P (VP4) types by using multiplex, heminested, reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. A novel P[6]G8 rotavirus strain was identified in 42% of the specimens. The remaining strains comprised P[8]G3 (20%), P[6]G3 (10%), P[4]G8 (9%), P[6]G9 (3%), P[8]G4 (2%), P[6]G4 (2%), and P[4]G3 (1%). Rotavirus strains with mixed G or P types were identified in 2% of the specimens. Nine percent of the strains were nontypeable with the primers used. The P[6] genotype was identified in 57% of strains overall. This first description of serotype G8 rotavirus as a predominant strain has important implications for vaccine development in Africa. The finding of novel P/G combinations (P[6]G8 and P[4]G8) highlights the extraordinary diversity of rotaviruses in some countries.