Whole Genome Analysis of Human Rotaviruses Reveals Single Gene Reassortant Rotavirus Strains in Zambia.

Wairimu M Maringa,Evans M Mpabalwani,Martin M Nyaga,Jason M Mwenda,Mapaseka L Seheri,Peter N Mwangi,Julia Simwaka,M Jeffrey Mphahlele

doi:10.3390/v13091872

Abstract

Rotarix® vaccine was implemented nationwide in Zambia in 2013. In this study, four unusual strains collected in the post-vaccine period were subjected to whole genome sequencing and analysis. The four strains possessed atypical genotype constellations, with at least one reassortant genome segment within the constellation. One of the strains (UFS-NGS-MRC-DPRU4749) was genetically and phylogenetically distinct in the VP4 and VP1 gene segments. Pairwise analyses demonstrated several amino acid disparities in the VP4 antigenic sites of this strain compared to that of Rotarix®. Although the impact of these amino acid disparities remains to be determined, this study adds to our understanding of the whole genomes of reassortant strains circulating in Zambia following Rotarix® vaccine introduction.

Highlights

Group A rotavirus (RVA), a widespread and infectious pathogen that causes dehydrating diarrhea, in children under five years of age, was estimated to have caused approximately 128,000 deaths in 2016
We report the whole genomes of four intergenogroup reassortant strains identified between 2014 and 2016 during the ongoing RVA surveillance in Zambia, to understand the mechanisms that result in genetic diversity among Zambian
The present study reported on four intergenogroup reassortant strains in Zambia

Summary

Introduction

Group A rotavirus (RVA), a widespread and infectious pathogen that causes dehydrating diarrhea, in children under five years of age, was estimated to have caused approximately 128,000 deaths in 2016. 105,000) occurred in sub-Saharan Africa [1]. The significance of RVA burden of disease led to the development of prophylactic vaccines. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommended the use of rotavirus vaccines globally [2]. Four WHO-prequalified rotavirus vaccines (Rotarix® , RotaTeq® , ROTAVAC® , and ROTASIIL® ) are currently in use in 110 countries worldwide as of 5 April 2021 [3].

Results

Discussion

Conclusion