The Association between Symptomatic Rotavirus Infection and Histo-Blood Group Antigens in Young Children with Diarrhea in Pretoria, South Africa.

Objectives: Recently, histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) have been identified as receptors or attachment factors of several viral pathogens. Among rotaviruses, HBGAs interact with the outer viral protein, VP4, which has been identified as a potential susceptibility factor, although the findings are inconsistent throughout populations due to HBGA polymorphisms. We investigated the association between HBGA phenotypes and rotavirus infection in children with acute gastroenteritis in northern Pretoria, South Africa.

Genetic Characterisation of South African and Mozambican Bovine Rotaviruses Reveals a Typical Bovine-like Artiodactyl Constellation Derived through Multiple Reassortment Events.

This study presents whole genomes of seven bovine rotavirus strains from South Africa and Mozambique. Double-stranded RNA, extracted from stool samples without prior adaptation to cell culture, was used to synthesise cDNA using a self-annealing anchor primer ligated to dsRNA and random hexamers. The cDNA was subsequently sequenced using an Illumina MiSeq platform without prior genome amplification.

Whole Genome Analysis of African G12P[6] and G12P[8] Rotaviruses Provides Evidence of Porcine-Human Reassortment at NSP2, NSP3, and NSP4.

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) represent the most common cause of pediatric gastroenteritis in children <5 years, worldwide. There has been an increase in global detection and reported cases of acute gastroenteritis caused by RVA genotype G12 strains, particularly in Africa. This study sought to characterize the genomic relationship between African G12 strains and determine the possible origin of these strains.

Whole Genome Analysis of South African G1P[8] Rotavirus Strains Before and After Vaccine Introduction Over A Period of 14 Years.

Rotavirus G1P[8] strains account for more than half of the group A rotavirus (RVA) infections in children under five years of age, globally. A total of 103 stool samples previously characterized as G1P[8] and collected seven years before and seven years after introducing the Rotarix vaccine in South Africa were processed for whole-genome sequencing. All the strains analyzed had a Wa-like constellation (G1-P[8]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1).

Molecular Characterisation of a Rare Reassortant Porcine-Like G5P[6] Rotavirus Strain Detected in an Unvaccinated Child in Kasama, Zambia.

A human-porcine reassortant strain, RVA/Human-wt/ZMB/UFS-NGS-MRC-DPRU4723/2014/G5P[6], was identified in a sample collected in 2014 from an unvaccinated 12 month old male hospitalised for gastroenteritis in Zambia. We sequenced and characterised the complete genome of this strain which presented the constellation: G5-P[6]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1. The genotype A8 is often observed in porcine strains.

Genetic characterisation of novel G29P[14] and G10P[11] rotavirus strains from African buffalo.

We report the first description of rotavirus A strains in African buffalo (Syncerus caffer). Following RNA extraction from stool samples, cDNA was prepared, followed either by sequence-independent amplification and 454 pyrosequencing or direct sequencing on an Illumina MiSeq platform. RVA/Buffalo-wt/ZAF/4426/2002/G29P[14] exhibited a novel G29P[14] combination and an artiodactyl backbone: I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T6-E2-H3.

Diversity of rotavirus strains circulating in children under five years of age who presented with acute gastroenteritis before and after rotavirus vaccine introduction, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia, 2008-2015.

Background: Following the introduction of rotavirus vaccine into the routine immunization schedule, the burden of rotavirus disease has significantly reduced in Zambia. Although rotavirus vaccines appear to confer good cross-protection against both vaccine and non-vaccine strains, concerns about strain replacement following vaccine implementation remain. We describe the diversity of the circulating rotavirus strains before and after the Rotarix® vaccine was introduced in Lusaka from January 2012.

Rotavirus strain diversity in Eastern and Southern African countries before and after vaccine introduction.

Background: The African Rotavirus Surveillance Network has been detecting and documenting rotavirus genotypes in the African sub-continent since 1998 in anticipation of the rollout of rotavirus vaccination in routine Expanded Programme on Immunisation. This paper reports distribution of the rotavirus strains circulating in 15 Eastern and Southern African (ESA) countries from 2010-2015 as part of active World Health Organization (WHO) rotavirus surveillance, and investigates possibility of emergence of non-vaccine or unusual strains in six selected countries post-vaccine introduction.

Material And Methods: Stool samples were collected from children <5 years of age presenting with acute gastroenteritis at sentinel hospitals pre- and post-rotavirus vaccine introduction.

Complete genome analyses of the first porcine rotavirus group H identified from a South African pig does not provide evidence for recent interspecies transmission events.

Rotaviruses (RVs) are classified into eight species/groups (RVA-RVH) according to the migration patterns of their 11 genome segments, as well as by serological and molecular properties of Viral Protein 6 (VP6). In 1997 a new unclassified RV was reported infecting adults in Bangladesh and China. This virus was initially named novel adult diarrhoea rotavirus (ADRV-N), but later renamed as RVH.

Complete genomic sequence for an avian group G rotavirus from South Africa.

We report the first complete sequence for an avian group G rotavirus (RVG) genome from Africa, which is the third publically available RVG genome. These RVG genomes are highly diverse, especially in their VP4, VP7, NSP4, and NSP3 segments, indicating that RVG diversity is comparable to that of rotavirus A.

Whole genome detection of rotavirus mixed infections in human, porcine and bovine samples co-infected with various rotavirus strains collected from sub-Saharan Africa.

Group A rotaviruses (RVA) are among the main global causes of severe diarrhea in children under the age of 5years. Strain diversity, mixed infections and untypeable RVA strains are frequently reported in Africa. We analysed rotavirus-positive human stool samples (n=13) obtained from hospitalised children under the age of 5years who presented with acute gastroenteritis at sentinel hospital sites in six African countries, as well as bovine and porcine stool samples (n=1 each), to gain insights into rotavirus diversity and evolution.

Genetic diversity of rotavirus genome segment 6 (encoding VP6) in Pretoria, South Africa.

Background: Rotavirus viral protein 6 (VP6), encoded by genome segment (GS) 6, is the primary target for rotavirus diagnosis by serological and some molecular techniques. Selected full length nucleotide sequences of GS 6 of rotavirus strains from South Africa were sequenced and analysed to determine genetic diversity and variations within the circulating rotaviruses.

Findings: The VP6 amplicons were sequenced using the Sanger ABI 3130xl.

Update of rotavirus strains circulating in Africa from 2007 through 2011.

Background: The African Rotavirus Surveillance Network has been detecting and documenting rotavirus genotypes in the subcontinent since 1998, largely based on intercountry workshops conducted at Rotavirus Regional Reference Laboratories. This article reports on rotavirus genotypes generated at Regional Reference Laboratories, South Africa between 2007 and 2011 from 16 African countries.

Methods: Stool samples were collected from <5-year-old children with diarrhea following World Health Organization criteria of hospital-based rotavirus surveillance.

Epidemiologic and genotypic characteristics of rotavirus strains detected in children less than 5 years of age with gastroenteritis treated at 3 pediatric hospitals in Zimbabwe during 2008-2011.

Background: In anticipation of rotavirus vaccine introduction, the Zimbabwe Ministry of Health initiated rotavirus surveillance in 2008 to describe the rotavirus epidemiological trends and circulating genotypes among children <5 years of age.

Methods: Active hospital-based surveillance for diarrhea was conducted at 3 sentinel sites from January 2008 to December 2011. Children aged <5 years, who presented with acute gastroenteritis as a primary illness and who were admitted to a hospital ward or treated at the emergency unit, were enrolled in the surveillance program and had a stool specimen collected and tested for rotavirus by enzyme immunoassay.

Novel NSP1 genotype characterised in an African camel G8P[11] rotavirus strain.

Animal-human interspecies transmission is thought to play a significant role in influencing rotavirus strain diversity in humans. Proving this concept requires a better understanding of the complete genetic constellation of rotaviruses circulating in various animal species. However, very few whole genomes of animal rotaviruses, especially in developing countries, are available.

Sequence analysis of the whole genomes of five African human G9 rotavirus strains.

The G9 rotaviruses are amongst the most common global rotavirus strains causing severe childhood diarrhoea. However, the whole genomes of only a few G9 rotaviruses have been fully sequenced and characterised of which only one G9P[6] and one G9P[8] are from Africa. We determined the consensus sequence of the whole genomes of five African human group A G9 rotavirus strains, four G9P[8] strains and one G9P[6] strain collected in Cameroon (central Africa), Kenya (eastern Africa), South Africa and Zimbabwe (southern Africa) in 1999, 2009 and 2010.

Whole genome sequence analyses of three African bovine rotaviruses reveal that they emerged through multiple reassortment events between rotaviruses from different mammalian species.

Animal-to-human interspecies transmission is one of the evolutionary mechanisms driving rotavirus strain diversity in humans. Although quite a few studies emanating from Africa revealed evidence of bovine-to-human rotavirus interspecies transmission, whole genome data of African bovine rotavirus strains are not yet available. To gain insight into the complete genome constellation of African bovine rotaviruses, the full genomes of three bovine rotavirus strains were extracted from stool samples collected from calves, amplified using a sequence-independent procedure, followed by 454(®) pyrosequencing.

A first report on the characterization of rotavirus strains in Sierra Leone.

In an effort to reduce the high mortalities associated with rotavirus infections, a number of African countries are considering introducing human rotavirus vaccines. The demonstrated safety and efficacy of the live-attenuate human rotavirus vaccines in several clinical trials worldwide has accelerated such initiatives. Although the percentage-mortality rates for Sierra Leone are top of the list for rotavirus-associated deaths in Africa, no study has reported the prevalent strains circulating within this country.

Determination of the G and P types of previously nontypeable rotavirus strains from the African Rotavirus Network, 1996-2004: Identification of unusual G types.

A total of 215 nontypeable rotavirus samples collected from children <5 years of age by members of the African Rotavirus Network were characterized using reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis and sequencing. The most predominant strain identified was P[8]G1 (46.9%).

Rotavirus strain types circulating in Africa: Review of studies published during 1997-2006.

Rotavirus is responsible for more than half a million deaths among infants and young children worldwide each year; many of these deaths could be prevented by widespread use of an effective rotavirus vaccine. The diversity of rotavirus strains in many developing countries, where most rotavirus deaths occur, could represent a significant challenge to the efficacy of current vaccines. In anticipation of rotavirus vaccine introduction, we examined studies published over a 10-year period (1997-2006) from countries in Africa that examined the distribution of VP7 (G) and VP4 (P) rotavirus strain types in symptomatic children and in neonates, together with studies that undertook a more detailed characterization of unusual rotavirus strains.

Molecular characterization of rotavirus strains circulating in Oman in 2005.

Limited genotyping data are available for rotavirus strains in the Middle East. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of human rotavirus strains circulating in the Sultanate of Oman during 2005. Rotavirus was detected in 178 (57.

Molecular characterization and genotyping of human rotavirus strains in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire.

In this study, we characterized human rotavirus strains recovered from infants and young children with acute diarrhea in Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire, during 2000-2004. In total, 719 fecal specimens were collected from children aged 1-60 months with acute infantile gastroenteritis. Examination with a commercial enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed the presence of group A rotavirus antigen in 208 diarrheal specimens (28.

Characterization of human rotavirus recovered from children with acute diarrhea in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic Of Congo.

Between July and October of 2003, 2004, and 2005, outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis occurred among children <5 years of age in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo. Stool specimens (67 in 2003, 108 in 2004, and 116 in 2005) were collected and screened for rotaviruses using either latex agglutination (Diarlex LAA; Orion Diagnostics) or enzyme immunoassay (IDEIA; DakoCytomation). The molecular characteristics of the rotavirus strains were then determined.

Characterization of human rotavirus strains from children with diarrhea in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya, between 2000 and 2002.

Rotavirus infection is a major cause of diarrheal illness and hospitalization in children <5 years old in Kenya and has been described in various settings and locations across the country and for different time points. In this study, we expand on the molecular characterization of rotavirus strains collected in Nairobi and Kisumu, Kenya, between 2000 and 2002. Rotavirus strains were typed by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and characterized using VP6 monoclonal antibodies and RNA electrophoresis of the viral genome.

Rotavirus genetic diversity, disease association, and temporal change in hospitalized rural Kenyan children.

Background: The effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines will be dependent on the immunity conferred against prevalent and emergent variants causing severe diarrheal disease. Longitudinal surveillance of disease-causing strains is a prerequisite to intervention.

Methods: Molecular characterization was conducted on rotavirus-positive stool samples from children admitted with diarrhea to a rural district hospital during 2002-2004.