CaFÉ: A Sensitive, Low-Cost Filtration Method for Detecting Polioviruses and Other Enteroviruses in Residual Waters.

Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance has been used to identify polio cases and target vaccination campaigns since the inception of the Global Poliovirus Eradication Initiative (GPEI) in 1988. To date, only Afghanistan and Pakistan have failed to interrupt wild poliovirus transmission. Circulation of vaccine-derived polioviruses (VDPV) continues to be a problem in high-risk areas of the Eastern Mediterranean, African, and Southeast Asian regions.

Genotyping of non-polio enteroviruses associated with acute flaccid paralysis in Thailand in 2013 and 2014.

Background: Acute flaccid paralysis (AFP) surveillance was conducted as part of the World Health Organization's strategy for completely eradicating poliomyelitis and leaving non-polio enteroviruses NPEVs as one of the main potential causes of AFP. We aimed to detect NPEV in association with AFP.

Methods: We used 459 isolates reported to be Negative Polio and some NPEVs by the World Health Organization Polio Regional Reference Laboratory (Thailand), which had been obtained during polio surveillance programmes conducted in Thailand in 2013-2014.

Genomic characterization of a novel G3P[10] rotavirus strain from a diarrheic child in Thailand: Evidence for bat-to-human zoonotic transmission.

An unusual rotavirus strain with the G3P[10] genotype (RVA/Human-wt/THA/MS2015-1-0001/2015/G3P[10]) was identified in a stool sample from a hospitalized child aged 11 months with severe gastroenteritis in Thailand. In the current study, we sequenced and characterized the full genome of strain MS2015-1-0001. On full-genomic analysis, strain MS2015-1-0001 exhibited the following genotype configuration: G3-P[10]-I8-R3-C3-M3-A9-N3-T3-E3-H6, which is identical or closely related to those of bat and bat-like rotavirus strains (MYAS33-like).

Human Antibodies to VP4 Inhibit Replication of Enteroviruses Across Subgenotypes and Serotypes, and Enhance Host Innate Immunity.

Hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD) is a highly contagious disease that usually affects infants and young children (<5 years). HFMD outbreaks occur frequently in the Asia-Pacific region, and these outbreaks are associated with enormous healthcare and socioeconomic burden. There is currently no specific antiviral agent to treat HFMD and/or the severe complications that are frequently associated with the enterovirus of serotype EV71.

High prevalence of equine-like G3P[8] rotavirus in children and adults with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand.

Group A rotavirus (RVA) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. This study aims to clarify the distribution of G/P types and genetic characteristics of RVAs circulating in Thailand. Between January 2014 and September 2016, 1867 stool specimens were collected from children and adults with acute gastroenteritis in six provinces in Thailand.

Characterization of an Unusual DS-1-Like G8P[8] Rotavirus Strain from Japan in 2017: Evolution of Emerging DS-1-Like G8P[8] Strains through Reassortment.

The emergence of unusual DS-1-like intergenogroup reassortant rotaviruses with a bovine-like G8 genotype (DS-1-like G8P[8] strains) has been reported in several Asian countries. During the rotavirus surveillance program in Japan in 2017, a DS-1-like G8P[8] strain (RVA/Human-wt/JPN/SO1162/2017/G8P[8]) was identified in 43 rotavirus-positive stool samples. Strain SO1162 was shown to have a unique genotype constellation, including genes from both genogroup 1 and 2: G8-P[8]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2.

Longitudinal study on enterovirus A71 and coxsackievirus A16 genotype/subgenotype replacements in hand, foot and mouth disease patients in Thailand, 2000-2017.

Background: Enterovirus A71 (EV-A71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CV-A16) are the major causative agents of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) worldwide, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region. Several strains have emerged, circulated, and faded out over time in recent decades. This study investigated the EV-A71 and CV-A16 circulating strains and replacement of genotypes/subgenotypes in Thailand during the years 2000-2017.

Seroprevalence of antibodies to enterovirus 71 and coxsackievirus A16 among people of various age groups in a northeast province of Thailand.

Background: Hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) is endemic among population of young children in Thailand. The disease is mostly caused by enterovirus 71 (EV71) and coxsackievirus A16 (CA16).

Methods: This study conducted serosurveillance for neutralizing (NT) antibodies to EV71 subgenotypes B5 and C4a, and to CA16 subgenotypes B1a and B1b, in 579 subjects of various ages using a microneutralization assay in human rhabdomyosarcoma (RD) cells.

Characterization of a G10P[14] rotavirus strain from a diarrheic child in Thailand: Evidence for bovine-to-human zoonotic transmission.

An unusual rotavirus strain, DB2015-066 with the G10P[14] genotype (RVA/Human-wt/THA/DB2015-066/2015/G10P[14]), was detected in a stool sample from a child hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand. Here, we sequenced and characterized the full-genome of the strain DB2015-066. On whole genomic analysis, strain DB2015-066 was shown to have a unique genotype constellation: G10-P[14]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3.

The dynamics of norovirus genotypes and genetic analysis of a novel recombinant GII.P12-GII.3 among infants and children in Bangkok, Thailand between 2014 and 2016.

Norovirus (NoV) is the leading cause of viral acute gastroenteritis among all age groups in the world. We performed a molecular epidemiological study of the NoVs prevalent in Bangkok between November 2014 and July 2016 to investigate the emergence of new NoV variants in Thailand. A total of 332 stool specimens were collected from hospitalized pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis in Bangkok, Thailand.

Identification and characterization of a human G9P[23] rotavirus strain from a child with diarrhoea in Thailand: evidence for porcine-to-human interspecies transmission.

An unusual rotavirus strain with the G9P[23] genotype (RVA/Human-wt/THA/KKL-117/2014/G9P[23]) was identified in a stool specimen from a 10-month-old child hospitalized with severe diarrhoea. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genome of strain KKL-117. On full-genomic analysis, strain KKL-117 was found to have the following genotype constellation: G9-P[23]-I5-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T1-E1-H1.

Evaluating the first introduction of rotavirus vaccine in Thailand: Moving from evidence to policy.

Background: We assessed the effectiveness and possible impact of introducing rotavirus vaccine into the routine immunization program.

Methods: Two provinces were selected for an observational study, one where vaccine was introduced and another where vaccine was not available. In these areas, two sub-studies were linked.

Full Genome Characterization of Novel DS-1-Like G8P[8] Rotavirus Strains that Have Emerged in Thailand: Reassortment of Bovine and Human Rotavirus Gene Segments in Emerging DS-1-Like Intergenogroup Reassortant Strains.

The emergence and rapid spread of unusual DS-1-like intergenogroup reassortant rotavirus strains have been recently reported in Asia, Australia, and Europe. During rotavirus surveillance in Thailand in 2013-2014, novel DS-1-like intergenogroup reassortant strains having G8P[8] genotypes (i.e.

Whole genomic analysis of bovine group A rotavirus strains A5-10 and A5-13 provides evidence for close evolutionary relationship with human rotaviruses.

Bovine group A rotavirus (RVA) is an important cause of acute diarrhea in calves worldwide. In order to obtain precise information on the origin and evolutionary dynamics of bovine RVA strains, we determined and analyzed the complete nucleotide sequences of the whole genomes of six archival bovine RVA strains; four Thai strains (RVA/Cow-tc/THA/A5-10/1988/G8P[1], RVA/Cow-tc/THA/A5-13/1988/G8P[1], RVA/Cow-tc/THA/61A/1989/G10P[5], and RVA/Cow-tc/THA/A44/1989/G10P[11]), one American strain (RVA/Cow-tc/USA/B223/1983/G10P[11]), and one Japanese strain (RVA/Cow-tc/JPN/KK3/1983/G10P[11]). On whole genomic analysis, the 11 gene segments of strains A5-10, A5-13, 61A, A44, B223, and KK3 were found to be considerably genetically diverse, but to share a conserved non-G/P genotype constellation except for the NSP1 gene (I2-R2-C2-M2-(A3/11/13/14)-N2-T6-E2-H3), which is commonly found in RVA strains from artiodactyls such as cattle.

Predominant prevalence of human rotaviruses with the G1P[8] and G8P[8] genotypes with a short RNA profile in 2013 and 2014 in Sukhothai and Phetchaboon provinces, Thailand.

Of 2,754 stool specimens collected from children with acute gastroenteritis during 2013-2014 in Sukhothai and Phetchaboon provinces, Thailand, 666 (24.2%) were positive for rotavirus A (RVA) in polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The G and P types of all RVA-positive specimens were determined by semi-nested RT-PCR.

Monthly Distribution of Norovirus and Sapovirus Causing Viral Gastroenteritis in Thailand.

A total of 1,141 rotavirus-negative stool specimens collected from diarrheic children in 4 distinct regions under sentinel surveillance in Thailand between 2006 and 2008 were examined by reverse-transcription (RT)-PCR for norovirus (NoV) and sapovirus (SaV). Three hundred 3 specimens (26.6%) were positive for NoV, with 34 and 269 belonging to genogroup I (GI) and genogroup II (GII), respectively.

Reassortment of Human and Animal Rotavirus Gene Segments in Emerging DS-1-Like G1P[8] Rotavirus Strains.

The emergence and rapid spread of novel DS-1-like G1P[8] human rotaviruses in Japan were recently reported. More recently, such intergenogroup reassortant strains were identified in Thailand, implying the ongoing spread of unusual rotavirus strains in Asia. During rotavirus surveillance in Thailand, three DS-1-like intergenogroup reassortant strains having G3P[8] (RVA/Human-wt/THA/SKT-281/2013/G3P[8] and RVA/Human-wt/THA/SKT-289/2013/G3P[8]) and G2P[8] (RVA/Human-wt/THA/LS-04/2013/G2P[8]) genotypes were identified in fecal samples from hospitalized children with acute gastroenteritis.

Emergence and Characterization of Unusual DS-1-Like G1P[8] Rotavirus Strains in Children with Diarrhea in Thailand.

The emergence and rapid spread of unusual DS-1-like G1P[8] rotaviruses in Japan have been recently reported. During rotavirus surveillance in Thailand, three DS-1-like G1P[8] strains (RVA/Human-wt/THA/PCB-180/2013/G1P[8], RVA/Human-wt/THA/SKT-109/2013/G1P[8], and RVA/Human-wt/THA/SSKT-41/2013/G1P[8]) were identified in stool specimens from hospitalized children with severe diarrhea. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genomes of strains PCB-180, SKT-109, and SSKT-41.

Whole Genomic Analysis of an Unusual Human G6P[14] Rotavirus Strain Isolated from a Child with Diarrhea in Thailand: Evidence for Bovine-To-Human Interspecies Transmission and Reassortment Events.

An unusual rotavirus strain, SKT-27, with the G6P[14] genotypes (RVA/Human-wt/THA/SKT-27/2012/G6P[14]), was identified in a stool specimen from a hospitalized child aged eight months with severe diarrhea. In this study, we sequenced and characterized the complete genome of strain SKT-27. On whole genomic analysis, strain SKT-27 was found to have a unique genotype constellation: G6-P[14]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3.

Whole genomic analysis of porcine G10P[5] rotavirus strain P343 provides evidence for bovine-to-porcine interspecies transmission.

Porcine group A rotavirus (RVA) strain P343 (RVA/Pig-tc/THA/P343/1991/G10P[5]) was suggested to have VP7 and VP4 genes of bovine origin. In order to obtain precise information on the exact origin and evolution of this unusual porcine strain, the remaining nine genes (VP6, VP1-3, and NSP1-5) of strain P343 were sequenced and analyzed in the present study. On whole genomic analysis, strain P343 was found to have a bovine RVA-like genotype constellation (G10-P[5]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A3-N2-T6-E2-H3) different from those of typical porcine RVA strains.

Strengthening public health laboratory capacity in Thailand for International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005).

Introduction: Thailand conducted a national laboratory assessment of core capacities related to the International Health Regulations (IHR) (2005), and thereby established a baseline to measure future progress. The assessment was limited to public laboratories found within the Thai Bureau of Quality and Safety of Food, National Institute of Health and regional medical science centres.

Methods: The World Health Organization (WHO) laboratory assessment tool was adapted to Thailand through a participatory approach.

Outbreak of norovirus gastroenteritis infection, Thailand.

Norovirus is a leading cause of gastrointestinal illness worldwide. We investigated an outbreak of gastrointestinal illness in Pattaya, Thailand, among participants of a course. We asked participants and family members to complete a questionnaire asking about symptoms, meals eaten, and foods consumed during the course.

A long-term survey on the distribution of the human rotavirus G type in Thailand.

The distribution of the G type of human rotavirus was surveyed in Thailand between July 1993 and June 2007. A significant yearly change in the distribution of the G type distribution was found. From 1993-1994 to 1998-1999, the G1 type was the most dominant.