Rotavirus Genotypes Research Articles

Comparison of Rotavirus Genotypes Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Comparison of Rotavirus Genotypes Before and After the COVID-19 Pandemic

Shigella and ETEC have replaced rotavirus as main causes of childhood diarrhea in Rwanda after ten years of rotavirus vaccination.

The causes of diarrhea after ten years of rotavirus vaccination in Rwanda were investigated in 496 children with and 298 without diarrhea using a real-time PCR. Rotavirus was detected in 11% of children with diarrhea (OR 2.48, P=0.002). Comparison of population attributable fractions (PAF) show that Shigella (PAF=11%) and ETEC-eltB (PAF=12%) have replaced rotavirus as the main causative agents. The PAF for rotavirus had declined from 41% pre-vaccination to 6.5%, indicating that rotavirus has become one among several similarly important causes of childhood diarrhea in Rwanda. A rotavirus genotype shift to G3P[8] points at the importance of continued genotype surveillance.

The Frequency of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Children from West of Iran and Genotyping of Rotavirus Isolates: A Suggestion for Further Changes in Childhood Immunization Program.

Rotavirus is the most common cause of gastroenteritis among children. Currently, four oral live-attenuated vaccines are available to prevent rotavirus infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended including rotavirus vaccination in national immunization programs; however, it has not been introduced to the Iranian national immunization program. The study aimed to assess the frequency of rotavirus gastroenteritis in the west of Iran and investigate the necessity of rotavirus vaccination. Study Design: A case series study. In this case series study, 284 cases under six years of age who presented with acute gastroenteritis from March 2021 to 2022 to a referral hospital in the west of Iran were evaluated. Data on baseline characteristics, clinical manifestations, results of stool test, ELISA for rotavirus detection, and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test for genotyping of rotavirus-positive samples were recorded. Results showed that the prevalence of rotavirus infection was 36.6%. The highest frequency was observed among children aged 6-12 months and during the autumn. According to the PCR results, G1P[8], G9P[8], G9P[4], and G1P [4] were the dominant genotypes, and 33.75% of samples were infected with multiple rotavirus genotypes. The study highlights the considerable prevalence of rotavirus infection among cases of acute gastroenteritis in children under six years of age who were referred to a referral hospital in the west of Iran and the high diversity of rotavirus genotypes in the targeted community. Consequently, physicians and health policymakers should prioritize strategies for the prevention and control of this infection, particularly by considering the rotavirus vaccine as a priority for the Iranian national immunization program.

Complete genome constellation of a dominant Bovine rotavirus genotype circulating in Bangladesh reveals NSP4 intragenic recombination with human strains

Rotavirus A is a leading cause of non-bacterial gastroenteritis in humans and domesticated animals. Despite the vast diversity of bovine Rotavirus A strains documented in South Asian countries, there are very few whole genomes available for phylogenetic study. A cross-sectional study identified a high prevalence of the G6P[11] genotype of bovine Rotavirus A circulating in the commercial cattle population in Bangladesh. Next-generation sequencing and downstream phylogenetic analysis unveiled all 11 complete gene segments of this strain (BD_ROTA_CVASU), classifying it under the genomic constellation G6P[11]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A13-N2-T6-E2-H3, which belongs to a classical DS-1-like genomic backbone. We found strong evidence of intragenic recombination between human and bovine strains in the Non-structural protein 4 (NSP4) gene, which encodes a multifunctional enterotoxin. Our analyses highlight frequent zoonotic transmissions of rotaviruses in diverse human-animal interfaces, which might have contributed to the evolution and pathogenesis of this dominant genotype circulating in the commercial cattle population in Bangladesh.

Immunogenicity of a Rotavirus VP8* Multivalent Subunit Vaccine in Mice.

Rotavirus remains a significant public health threat, especially in low-income countries, where it is the leading cause of severe acute childhood gastroenteritis, contributing to over 128,500 deaths annually. Although the introduction of the Rotarix and RotaTeq vaccines in 2006 marked a milestone in reducing mortality rates, approximately 83,158 preventable deaths persisted, showing ongoing challenges in vaccine accessibility and effectiveness. To address these issues, a novel subcutaneous vaccine formulation targeting multiple rotavirus genotypes has been developed. This vaccine consists of nine VP8* proteins from nine distinct rotavirus genotypes and sub-genotypes (P[4], P[6], P[8]LI, P[8]LIII, P[8]LIV, P[9], P[11], P[14], and P[25]) expressed in E. coli. Two groups of mice were immunized either with a single immunogen, the VP8* from the rotavirus Wa strain (P[8]LI), or with the nonavalent formulation. Preliminary results from mouse immunization studies showed promising outcomes, eliciting antibody responses against six of the nine immunogens. Notably, significantly higher antibody titers against VP8* P[8]LI were observed in the group immunized with the nonavalent vaccine compared to mice specifically immunized against this genotype alone. Overall, the development of parenteral vaccines targeting multiple rotavirus genotypes represents a promising strategy in mitigating the global burden of rotavirus-related morbidity and mortality, offering new avenues for disease prevention and control.

Determining genetic diversity of prevalent G and P genotype of Bovine Rotavirus A from neonatal calves of Gujarat, India.

Neonatal calf diarrhea is a major cause of mortality in newborn calves worldwide, posing a significant challenge in bovine herds. Group A Bovine Rotaviruses (BRVA) are the primary contributors to severe gastroenteritis in calves under two months old. This study examined the prevalence and molecular characterization of BRVA in neonatal calves in Gujarat, India. Sixty-nine diarrheic fecal samples were collected and subjected to various molecular methods of BRVA detection, isolation, and characterization. The latex agglutination test (LAT), electropherotyping (RNA-PAGE), and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction revealed positivity rates of 39.13%, 20.30%, and 37.70%, respectively. RNA-PAGE identified 11 bands with a 4:2:3:2 migration pattern, indicative of the segmented genome of BRVA. BRVA was successfully isolated from LAT-positive samples, with 26 samples exhibiting clear cytopathic effects upon passage in MA-104 cell lines. Genotyping identified G10 as the predominant G genotype, with P[11] genotypes comprising 76.92% of the isolates. The most common G/P combination was G10P[11], highlighting its zoonotic potential. These findings underscore the importance of molecular detection and genotyping for effective vaccine development. This study provides crucial insights into the prevalent G and P genotypes of BRVA in Gujarat, India, aiding in the development of targeted control measures.

Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program Annual Report, 2022.

This report from the Australian Rotavirus Surveillance Program describes the circulating rotavirus genotypes identified in children and adults during the period 1 January to 31 December 2022. After two years of a lower number of stool samples received as a result of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, this reporting period saw the highest number of samples received since the 2017 surveillance period, with samples received from all states and territories. During this period, 1,379 faecal specimens had been referred for rotavirus G- and P- genotype analysis, of which 1,276 were confirmed as rotavirus positive. In total, 1,119/1,276 were identified as wildtype rotavirus, 155/1,276 identified as the Rotarix vaccine strain and 2/1,276 that could not be confirmed as vaccine or wildtype due to sequencing failure. Whilst G12P[8] was the dominant genotype nationally among wildtype samples (28.2%; 315/1,119), multiple genotypes were identified at similar frequencies including G9P[4] (22.3%; 249/1,119) and G2P[4] (20.3%; 227/1,119). Geographical differences in genotype distribution were observed, largely driven by outbreaks reported in some jurisdictions. Outbreaks and increased reports of rotavirus disease were reported in the Northern Territory, Queensland, and New South Wales. A small number of unusual genotypes, potentially zoonotic in nature, were identified, including: G8P[14]; G10[14]; caninelike G3P[3]; G6P[9]; and G11P[25]. Ongoing rotavirus surveillance is crucial to identify changes in genotypic patterns and to provide diagnostic laboratories with quality assurance by reporting incidences of wildtype, vaccine-like, or false positive rotavirus results.

Rotavirus genotype dynamics in Pakistan: G9 and G12 emerging as dominant strains in vaccinated children (2019)

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide, and vaccination has become a pivotal strategy to reduce the associated morbidity and mortality. This study presents a molecular characterization of RVA genotypes circulating among vaccinated children in Pakistan during the year 2019. A total of 510 stool samples were collected from children of up to five years of age presenting with acute gastroenteritis symptoms in Rawalpindi, Islamabad regions of Pakistan. The RVA antigen was detected using ELISA on these samples. RVA G/P genotyping was performed on ELISA positive samples using Multiplex semi-nested reverse transcriptase PCR. RVA was found in 130 fecal samples, with an overall prevalence of 25.4 %. G9P[8] (20 %) is the most prevalent genotype, followed by G12P[6] (17 %), G3P[8] (14 %), G1P[8] (12 %), G2P[4] (10 %), G12P[8] (7 %), G9P[6] (7 %), G3P[6] (6 %), G3P[4] (4 %) and G1P[6] (3 %) respectively. There is a statistically significant difference (p < 0.05) found in the group age (in months) of RVA gastroenteritis cases as detected by RT-PCR. The highest number of positive cases was found in the age range from 0 to 6 months, followed by 7–12 months, 13–24 months, and 25–60 months, respectively. Dehydration is statistically significantly associated (p˂ 0.05) in RVA gastroenteritis cases compared to those who tested negative. This study emphasizes the significance of maintaining a continuous surveillance system and conducting genomic analysis of RVA genotypes in children upto the age of 5 years. This is essential for tracking the circulation of RVA genotypes. The results from this research enhance our comprehension of how RVA genotypes are changing over time in Pakistan, underscoring the ongoing necessity for improving vaccine coverage and effectiveness. This, in turn, can help reduce the impact of RVA-related illnesses in children.

Human Rotaviruses of Multiple Genotypes Acquire Conserved VP4 Mutations during Serial Passage.

Human rotaviruses exhibit limited tropism and replicate poorly in most cell lines. Attachment protein VP4 is a key rotavirus tropism determinant. Previous studies in which human rotaviruses were adapted to cultured cells identified mutations in VP4. However, most such studies were conducted using only a single human rotavirus genotype. In the current study, we serially passaged 50 human rotavirus clinical specimens representing five of the genotypes most frequently associated with severe human disease, each in triplicate, three to five times in primary monkey kidney cells then ten times in the MA104 monkey kidney cell line. From 13 of the 50 specimens, we obtained 25 rotavirus antigen-positive lineages representing all five genotypes, which tended to replicate more efficiently in MA104 cells at late versus early passage. We used Illumina next-generation sequencing and analysis to identify variants that arose during passage. In VP4, variants encoded 28 mutations that were conserved for all P[8] rotaviruses and 12 mutations that were conserved for all five genotypes. These findings suggest there may be a conserved mechanism of human rotavirus adaptation to MA104 cells. In the future, such a conserved adaptation mechanism could be exploited to study human rotavirus biology or efficiently manufacture vaccines.

Epidemiology of rotavirus infection: the evolution of the pathogen and the success of vaccination

The review presents data on the spread of various rotavirus genotypes and its variability in the world and in Russia, which occur both due to natural causes and under the influence of vaccination against rotavirus infection, as well as on the transformation of clinical and epidemiological features of the course of this disease in children as a result of the pathogen mutations.

Prevalence and genetic diversity of rotavirus among children under 5 years of age in China: a meta-analysis.

This meta-analysis was performed to assess the prevalence and circulating strains of rotavirus (RV) among Chinese children under 5 years of age after the implantation of the RV vaccine. Studies published between 2019 and 2023, focused on RV-based diarrhea among children less than 5 years were systematically reviewed using PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Wanfang and SinoMed Data. We synthesized their findings to examine prevalence and genetic diversity of RV after the RV vaccine implementation using a fixed-effects or random-effects model. Seventeen studies met the inclusion criteria for this meta-analysis. The overall prevalence of RV was found to be 19.00%. The highest infection rate was noted in children aged 12-23months (25.79%), followed by those aged 24-35 months (23.91%), and 6-11 months (22.08%). The serotype G9 emerged as the most predominant RV genotype, accounting for 85.48% of infections, followed by G2 (7.70%), G8 (5.74%), G1 (4.86%), and G3 (3.21%). The most common P type was P[8], representing 64.02% of RV cases. Among G-P combinations, G9P[8] was the most frequent, responsible for 78.46% of RV infections, succeeded by G8P[8] (31.22%) and G3P[8] (8.11%). Despite the variation of serotypes observed in China, the G1, G2, G3, G8 and G9 serotypes accounted for most RV strains. The genetic diversity analysis highlights the dynamic nature of RV genotypes, necessitating ongoing surveillance to monitor changes in strain distribution and inform future vaccine strategies.

Rotavirus in developing countries: molecular diversity, epidemiological insights, and strategies for effective vaccination.

Rotavirus (RV) causes the loss of numerous children's lives worldwide each year, and this burden is particularly heavy in low- and lower-middle-income countries where access to healthcare is limited. RV epidemiology exhibits a diverse range of genotypes, which can vary in prevalence and impact across different regions. The human genotypes that are most commonly recognized are G1P[8], G2P[4], G3P[8], G4P[8], G8P[8], G9P[8], and G12P[8]. The diversity of rotavirus genotypes presents a challenge in understanding its global distribution and developing effective vaccines. Oral, live-attenuated rotavirus vaccines have undergone evaluation in various contexts, encompassing both low-income and high-income populations, demonstrating their safety and effectiveness. Rotavirus vaccines have been introduced and implemented in over 120 countries, offering an opportunity to assess their effectiveness in diverse settings. However, these vaccines were less effective in areas with more rotavirus-related deaths and lower economic status compared to wealthier regions with fewer rotavirus-related deaths. Despite their lower efficacy, rotavirus vaccines significantly decrease the occurrence of diarrheal diseases and related mortality. They also prove to be cost-effective in regions with a high burden of such diseases. Regularly evaluating the impact, influence, and cost-effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines, especially the newly approved ones for worldwide use, is essential for deciding if these vaccines should be introduced in countries. This is especially important in places with limited resources to determine if a switch to a different vaccine is necessary. Future research in rotavirus epidemiology should focus on a comprehensive understanding of genotype diversity and its implications for vaccine effectiveness. It is crucial to monitor shifts in genotype prevalence and their association with disease severity, especially in high-risk populations. Policymakers should invest in robust surveillance systems to monitor rotavirus genotypes. This data can guide vaccine development and public health interventions. International collaboration and data sharing are vital to understand genotype diversity on a global scale and facilitate the development of more effective vaccines.

Genetic characterization of group A rotavirus in children with acute gastroenteritis in Kericho County Referral Hospital, Kenya.

approximately over 80% of mortalities due to rotavirus occur in countries that have limited resources, especially in sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. The study was intended to determine the genetic characteristics of rotavirus A in children exhibiting gastroenteritis at Kericho County Referral Hospital. the study design was cross-sectional. Consecutive sampling was engaged obtaining a sample size of 200 stool samples. Genetic characterization of group A rotavirus strains was done using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay. Positive samples underwent Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Afterwards viewing of the RNA double strands of the rotavirus genome in gels was done using Silver Nitrate. The positive samples underwent RT-PCR amplification followed by sequencing on the pieces of the VP7 or VP4 gene obtained. one hundred and six (53%) samples from males and 94 (47%) from females. Twenty-three samples were positive hence a prevalence of 11.5%. The most affected demographics were children of guardians with secondary school education (51%). The most affected social economic status was housewives (46.5%). The most affected age was 21-30 months at 26.5%. Long electropherotypes were in 22 samples (96%). The G3 genotype of rotavirus A was prevalent 16/23 (69.57%). rotavirus prevalence was 11.5%. The G3 genotype was the most prevalent in circulation. The occurrence of non-typable strains indicated that the strains may be diversified emphasizing the need to include emerging strains within the vaccines in use. Hence the need to continuously monitor the effects in older children.

Rotavirus genotype diversity in Tanzania during Rotavirus vaccine implementation between 2013 and 2018

The study aims to determine Rotavirus genotypes between 2013 and 2018 during implementation of ROTARIX vaccine in Tanzania. The analysis of surveillance data obtained between 2013 and 2018 was done to determine circulating genotypes after introduction of Rotarix vaccine. From 2013 to 2018, a total of 10,557 samples were collected and screened for Rotavirus using an enzyme immunoassay. A significant decrease in Rotavirus positivity (29.3% to 17.8%) from 2013 to 2018 (OR 0.830, 95% CI 0.803–0.857, P < 0.001) was observed. A total of 766 randomly selected Rotavirus positive samples were genotyped. Between 2013 and 2018, a total of 18 Rotavirus genotypes were detected with G1P [8] being the most prevalent. The G1P [8] strain was found to decrease from 72.3% in 2015 to 13.5% in 2018 while the G9P [4] strain increased from 1 to 67.7% in the same years. G2P [4] was found to decrease from 59.7% in 2013 to 6.8% in 2018 while G3P [6] decreased from 11.2% in 2014 to 4.1% in 2018. The data has clearly demonstrated that ROTARIX vaccine has provided protection to varieties of the wild-type Rotavirus strains. Continuous surveillance is needed to monitor the circulation of Rotavirus strains during this era of vaccine implementation.

Rotavirus genotypes in children under five years hospitalized with diarrhea in low and middle-income countries: Results from the WHO-coordinated Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network.

Rotavirus is the most common pathogen causing pediatric diarrhea and an important cause of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries. Previous evidence suggests that the introduction of rotavirus vaccines in national immunization schedules resulted in dramatic declines in disease burden but may also be changing the rotavirus genetic landscape and driving the emergence of new genotypes. We report genotype data of more than 16,000 rotavirus isolates from 40 countries participating in the Global Rotavirus Surveillance Network. Data from a convenience sample of children under five years of age hospitalized with acute watery diarrhea who tested positive for rotavirus were included. Country results were weighted by their estimated rotavirus disease burden to estimate regional genotype distributions. Globally, the most frequent genotypes identified after weighting were G1P[8] (31%), G1P[6] (8%) and G3P[8] (8%). Genotypes varied across WHO Regions and between countries that had and had not introduced rotavirus vaccine. G1P[8] was less frequent among African (36 vs 20%) and European (33 vs 8%) countries that had introduced rotavirus vaccines as compared to countries that had not introduced. Our results describe differences in the distribution of the most common rotavirus genotypes in children with diarrhea in low- and middle-income countries. G1P[8] was less frequent in countries that had introduced the rotavirus vaccine while different strains are emerging or re-emerging in different regions.

Genotype analysis of rotaviruses isolated from children during a phase III clinical trial with the hexavalent rotavirus vaccine in China

The oral hexavalent live human-bovine reassortant rotavirus vaccine (RV6) developed by Wuhan Institute of Biological Products Co., Ltd (WIBP) has finished a randomized, placebo-controlled phase III clinical trial in four provinces of China in 2021. The trail demonstrated that RV6 has a high vaccine efficacy against the prevalent strains and is safe for use in infants. During the phase III clinical trial (2019–2021), 200 rotavirus-positive fecal samples from children with RV gastroenteritis (RVGE) were further studied. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing, VP7 and VP4 sequences were obtained and their genetic characteristics, as well as the differences in antigenic epitopes of VP7, were analyzed in detail. Seven rotavirus genotypes were identified. The predominant rotavirus genotype was G9P [8] (77.0%), followed by prevalent strains G8P [8] (8.0%), G3P [8] (3.5%), G3P [9] (1.5%), G1P [8] (1.0%), G2P [4] (1.0%), and G4P [6] (1.0%). The amino acid sequence identities of G1, G2, G3, G4, G8, and G9 genotypes of isolates compared to the vaccine strains were 98.8%, 98.2%–99.7%, 88.4%–99.4%, 98.2%, 94.2%–100%, and 93.9%–100%, respectively. Notably, the vaccine strains exhibited high similarity in amino acid sequence, with only minor differences in antigenic epitopes compared to the Chinese endemic strains. This supports the potential application of the vaccine in preventing diseases caused by rotaviruses.

Genomic constellations of RVA detected in Brazil from 1986 to 2016: a temporal and geographical distribution and occurrence of reassortments

Introduction: Species A rotavirus (RVA) infections are a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in children of &lt;5 years worldwide. In Brazil, before vaccination, RVA was associated with 3.5 million episodes of acute diarrheal disease per year. Due to the segmented nature of their genomes, rotaviruses can exchange genes during co-infections, and generate new virus strains and new reinfections. Objective: To evaluate the genomic diversity of RVA isolated in Brazil in 30 years, between 1986 to 2016, to investigate possible changes in the frequency of genotype constellations before and after the implementation of the vaccine. Methods: In total, 4,474 nucleotide sequences were obtained from the Virus Variation Database. Genomic constellation was compared, and the proportion of rotavirus genotypes was analyzed by time and geographic region. Results: Our results showed that major known genotypes were circulating in the country during the period under analysis, with a prevalence of the G1P[8] Wa-like genotype, decreasing only in the period immediately after the introduction of the vaccine. Regarding the geographical distribution, most of our constellations, 62 (39.2%), and 50 (31.6%) were concentrated in the North and Northeast regions. Our analysis also showed the circulation of multiple strains during the periods when the DS-1-like and AU-1-like genotypes were co-circulating with the Wa-like genotype. Conclusion: Therefore, it is likely that inter-genogroup reassortments are still occurring in Brazil and so it is important to establish an efficient surveillance system to follow the emergence of novel reassorted strains that might not be targeted by the vaccine.

Elucidating the conformational dynamics of histo-blood group antigens and their interactions with the rotavirus spike protein through computational lens

In the present study, we investigated the conformational dynamics of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) and their interactions with the VP8* domain of four rotavirus genotypes (P[4], P[6], P[19], and P[11]) utilizing all-atom molecular dynamics simulations in explicit water. Our study revealed distinct changes in the dynamic behavior of the same glycan due to linkage variations. We observed that LNFPI HBGA having a terminal β linkage shows two dominant conformations after complexation, whereas only one was obtained for LNFPI with a terminal α linkage. Interestingly, both variants displayed a single dominant structure in the free state. Similarly, LNT and LNnT show a shift in their dihedral linkage profile between their two terminal monosaccharides because of a change in the linkage from β(1–3) to β(1–4). The molecular mechanics generalized Born surface area (MM/GBSA) calculations yielded the highest binding affinity for LNFPI(β)/P[6] (−13.93 kcal/mol) due to the formation of numerous hydrogen bonds between VP8* and HBGAs. LNnT binds more strongly to P[11] (−12.88 kcal/mol) than LNT (−4.41 kcal/mol), suggesting a single change in the glycan linkage might impact its binding profile significantly. We have also identified critical amino acids and monosaccharides (Gal and GlcNAc) that contributed significantly to the protein-ligand binding through the per-residue decomposition of binding free energy. Moreover, we found that the interaction between the same glycan and different protein receptors within the same rotavirus genogroup influenced the micro-level dynamics of the glycan. Overall, our study helps a deeper understanding of the H-type HBGA and rotavirus spike protein interaction. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma

Rotavirus Genotypes in the Postvaccine Era: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Global, Regional, and Temporal Trends by Rotavirus Vaccine Introduction.

Even moderate differences in rotavirus vaccine effectiveness against nonvaccine genotypes may exert selective pressures on circulating rotaviruses. Whether this vaccine effect or natural temporal fluctuations underlie observed changes in genotype distributions is unclear. We systematically reviewed studies reporting rotavirus genotypes from children <5 years of age globally between 2005 and 2023. We compared rotavirus genotypes between vaccine-introducing and nonintroducing settings globally and by World Health Organization (WHO) region, calendar time, and time since vaccine introduction. Crude pooling of genotype data from 361 studies indicated higher G2P[4], a nonvaccine genotype, prevalence in vaccine-introducing settings, both globally and by WHO region. This difference did not emerge when examining genotypes over time in the Americas, the only region with robust longitudinal data. Relative to nonintroducing settings, G2P[4] detections were more likely in settings with recent introduction (eg, 1-2 years postintroduction adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 4.39; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.87-6.72) but were similarly likely in settings with more time elapsed since introduction, (eg, 7 or more years aOR, 1.62; 95% CI, .49-5.37). When accounting for both regional and temporal trends, there was no substantial evidence of long-term vaccine-related selective pressures on circulating genotypes. Increased prevalence of G2P[4] may be transient after rotavirus vaccine introduction.

Exploring the Rotavirus Risk in Latin American Food and Water

Rotavirus is considered a major public health problem worldwide because many children, adults, and animals die from gastroenteritis due to rotavirus; rotavirus contamination follows the fecal/oral route, and it is well supported that infection can also be achieved by consuming food and water that is contaminated with rotavirus. Research has shown that, in Latin American countries, unusual emerging strains of rotavirus are occurring in children and adults with gastroenteritis; which contain in their sequence genes from rotavirus genotypes detected in animals; Therefore, researchers consider it a virus with zoonotic potential.&#x0D; In this review, I propose that rotavirus transmission occurs from wild animals, who use an intermediate host before contaminating humans, by means of the fecal/oral route, food, and water. Rotavirus produces genetic rearrangements generating new emerging strains, which are excreted into the environment. Generally, during the dry season in our Latin American countries, contaminated water is used to irrigate crops, and from there, much of this water ends up in the sea, where rotavirus is absorbed by filter-feeding molluscs, and from there, consumed by man and animals continuing its cycle.&#x0D; Studies on the molecular characterization of rotavirus strains detected in food and water provide new insights into possible rotavirus genetic rearrangements and zoonoses. The emergence of strains derived from interspecies transmission has implicated and inspired the study of different vaccine strategies.