Characterization of rotavirus strains in a Danish population: high frequency of mixed infections and diversity within the VP4 gene of P[8] strains

J Clin Microbiol. 2005 Mar;43(3):1099-104. doi: 10.1128/JCM.43.3.1099-1104.2005.

Abstract

We characterized the G and P types from 162 rotavirus-positive stool specimens collected from 162 persons in Denmark (134 children and 28 adults) with acute diarrhea in 1998, 2000, and 2002. Samples were obtained during outpatient consultations (73%) and from hospitalized patients (27%). Although more than 20 different G-P combinations were identified, only 52% represented the globally most common types G1P[8], G2P[4], and G4P[8]. The G9 genotype, which is emerging worldwide, was identified in 12% of all samples. Twenty-one percent of the samples were of mixed genotypic origin, which is the highest frequency reported in any European population. The standard reverse transcription-PCR methods initially failed to identify a considerable fraction of the rotavirus P strains due to mutations at the VP4 primer-binding sites of P[8] strains. The application of a degenerate P[8] primer resulted in typing of most VP4 strains. There was considerable year-to-year variation among the circulating G-P types, and whereas G1P[8] was predominant in 1998 (42% of samples) and 2002 (26%), G2P[4] was the strain that was most frequently detected in 2000 (26% of samples). Our findings might implicate challenges for rotavirus vaccine implementation in a European population and underscore the importance of extensive strain surveillance prior to, during, and after introduction of any vaccine candidate.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Base Sequence
  • Capsid Proteins / genetics*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Genotype
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Reassortant Viruses
  • Rotavirus / classification*
  • Rotavirus Infections / virology*

Substances

  • Capsid Proteins
  • VP4 protein, Rotavirus

Associated data

  • GENBANK/AY509908
  • GENBANK/AY509909
  • GENBANK/AY509910
  • GENBANK/AY509911
  • GENBANK/AY509912
  • GENBANK/AY509913
  • GENBANK/AY509914