Abstract
Group A rotaviruses (RVAs) are the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis, which is often associated with severe symptoms in children under 5 years old. Genetic reassortments and interspecies transmission commonly occur, resulting in a great diversity of RVA circulating in the world. The aim of this study is to determine the prevalence and distribution of RVA genotypes among children in Indonesia over the years 2016–2018 across representative areas of the country. Stool samples were collected from 202 pediatric patients with acute gastroenteritis in three regions of Indonesia (West Nusa Tenggara, South Sumatra, and West Papua) in 2016–2018. Rotavirus G and P genotypes were determined by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and direct sequencing analysis. The prevalences of RVA in South Sumatra (55.4%) and West Papua (54.0%) were significantly higher than that in East Java (31.7%) as determined in our previous study. The prevalence in West Nusa Tenggara (42.6%) was the lowest among three regions, but higher than that in East Java. Interestingly, equine-like G3 rotavirus strains were found as predominant strains in South Sumatra in 2016 and in West Papua in 2017–2018. Moreover, the equine-like G3 strains in South Sumatra detected in 2016 were completely replaced by human G1 and G2 in 2018. In conclusion, RVA infection in South Sumatra and West Papua was highly endemic. Equine-like G3 strains were also spread to South Sumatra (West Indonesia) and West Papua (East Indonesia), as well as Java Island. Dynamic change in rotavirus genotypes from equine-like G3 to human genotypes was also observed. Continuous monitoring may be warranted in isolated areas in Indonesia.
Highlights
Diarrheal disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children throughout the world, especially in developing countries (Jain et al, 2016; Hakim et al, 2018; Ugboko et al, 2020)
The unique Rotavirus A (RVA) genotype, equine-like G3P[8]/P[6] with DS-1-like backbone, detected in our previous study by whole genome sequencing became predominant in 2015–2017 (Utsumi et al, 2018; Athiyyah et al, 2019). These findings raise the question of whether the equine-like G3 RVA genotype has spread to other parts of Indonesia. In this molecular epidemiological study, we investigated the RVA infections in regions other than Java Island – namely, South Sumatra (West Indonesia), West Papua (East Indonesia), and West Nusa Tenggara (South East Indonesia)
Equine-like G3 rotavirus strains were found to be the predominant strains in South Sumatra in 2016 and in West Papua in 2017–2018
Summary
Diarrheal disease is one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in children throughout the world, especially in developing countries (Jain et al, 2016; Hakim et al, 2018; Ugboko et al, 2020). Rotavirus A (RVA) is the most common etiologic viral agent causing gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide (Chen et al, 2006; Tran et al, 2010; Hakim et al, 2018; Badur et al, 2019; Lestari et al, 2020). RVA infection causes severe acute gastroenteritis among children and is responsible for approximately 60% of inpatients and 41% of outpatients in pediatric hospitals, respectively (Nirwati et al, 2017; Utsumi et al, 2018). RVA is responsible for 2% mortality of all causes in children under 5 years old in Indonesia (Parwata et al, 2016)
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