Histo-Blood Group Antigens in Children with Symptomatic Rotavirus Infection.

Raúl Pérez-Ortín,Cristina Santiso-Bellón,Jesús Rodríguez-Díaz,Javier Buesa,Noelia Carmona-Vicente,Susana Vila-Vicent

doi:10.3390/v11040339

Raúl Pérez-Ortín, Cristina Santiso-Bellón + Show 4 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/v11040339

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Abstract

Group A rotaviruses are a major cause of acute gastroenteritis in children. The diversity and unequal geographical prevalence of rotavirus genotypes have been linked to histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) in different human populations. In order to evaluate the role of HBGAs in rotavirus infections in our population, secretor status (FUT2+), ABO blood group, and Lewis antigens were determined in children attended for rotavirus gastroenteritis in Valencia, Spain. During three consecutive years (2013–2015), stool and saliva samples were collected from 133 children with rotavirus infection. Infecting viral genotypes and HBGAs were determined in patients and compared to a control group and data from blood donors. Rotavirus G9P[8] was the most prevalent strain (49.6%), followed by G1P[8] (20.3%) and G12P[8] (14.3%). Rotavirus infected predominantly secretor (99%) and Lewis b positive (91.7%) children. Children with blood group A and AB were significantly more prone to rotavirus gastroenteritis than those with blood group O. Our results confirm that a HBGA genetic background is linked to rotavirus P[8] susceptibility. Rotavirus P[8] symptomatic infection is manifestly more frequent in secretor-positive (FUT2+) than in non-secretor individuals, although no differences between rotavirus G genotypes were found.

Highlights

Group A rotaviruses are the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide, with similar prevalence in developed and developing countries
It was reported that human rotaviruses recognize the different host histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) of individuals in a type-specific manner [7,8,9]
(48%; 95% confidence interval (CI): 33.7–62.6) and 26 girls (52%; 95% CI: 37.4–66.3) with similar demographic characteristics to the patient group was included for comparison

Summary

Introduction

Group A rotaviruses are the main cause of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide, with similar prevalence in developed and developing countries. Live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines (Rotarix and RotaTeq) are available internationally, both considered safe and effective in preventing gastrointestinal disease. The efficiency of rotavirus vaccines has been reported to be lower in African children [3,4]. Malnutrition, concomitant infections, simultaneous administration with oral poliovirus vaccine, rotavirus strain diversity, and genetic host factors have been proposed to explain these differences. The intestinal microbiome may contribute to alter the immune response to rotavirus vaccines [5,6]. It was reported that human rotaviruses recognize the different host histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) of individuals in a type-specific manner [7,8,9].

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