Epidemiological and genetic analysis of human group C rotaviruses isolated from outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Yokohama, Japan, between 2006 and 2012

Abstract

Group C rotavirus (GCRV) infection has been described in several parts of the world, predominantly as sporadic cases of acute gastroenteritis. Little is known about the yearly changes in the GCRV strains from diarrheal outbreaks. Stool samples collected from outbreaks of acute gastroenteritis in Yokohama, Japan, between 2006 and 2012 that were negative for norovirus, sapovirus, and group A rotavirus, were screened for GCRV using a reverse passive hemagglutination method. The GCRV strains were characterized by nucleotide sequence and phylogenetic analysis of their VP6, VP7, VP4, and NSP4 genes. Samples from nine of 735 outbreaks in Yokohama (1 %) contained GCRV, and eight of these outbreaks occurred in primary schools. The nucleotide sequences of the strains detected in this study were more closely related to Asian strains than to those from other regions of the world. The nucleotide sequences of the VP7 gene in these nine strains differed, and yearly changes were observed in the amino acid sequences of the VP4 genes. Phylogenetic trees constructed using the nucleotide sequences of the VP6, VP7, VP4, and NSP4 genes showed that sublineage S1 has divided into S1-1 and S1-2 in the VP4 gene only. Our results confirm that the prevalent strains of GCRV change yearly in Yokohama. This is the first study to demonstrate GCRV-associated gastroenteritis outbreaks in Yokohama, Japan.

Whole genome sequences of Japanese porcine species C rotaviruses reveal a high diversity of genotypes of individual genes and will contribute to a comprehensive, generally accepted classification system

“…c o m / l o c a t e / m e e g i d system, defining G and P-types respectively (Estes and Kapikian, 2007). Although an official classification system for RVC has not been established, at least 11 VP7 genotypes, nine VP4 genotypes and 11 VP6 genotypes have been reported to date (Araújo et al, 2011;Eren et al, 2016;Jeong et al, 2015;Kumazaki and Usuku, 2014;Lee et al, 2011;Lobo Pdos et al, 2016;Luchs et al, 2011;Luchs and do Carmo, 2015;Marthaler et al, 2013;Médici et al, 2010;Mitui et al, 2009;Moon et al, 2011;Moutelíková et al, 2014;Moutelíková et al, 2015;Park et al, 2011;Peng et al, 2013;Possatti et al, 2016;Suzuki et al, 2014;Stipp et al, 2015;Suzuki et al, 2015;Theuns et al, 2015;Zhirakovskaia et al, 2016). In RVA, extensive genetic variation has resulted in the accumulation of large numbers of RVA genotypes in animals, therefore an extended classification system assigning genotype to each of the 11 segments was provided by the Rotavirus Classification Working Group (Matthijnssens et al, 2008b(Matthijnssens et al, , 2011.…”

Zoonotic transmission of rotavirus: surveillance and control

“…In addition, RVB is commonly detected in pigs and cattle in some geographic areas, although evidence of zoonosis is missing [119][120][121][122][123]. In contrast, RVC occurs worldwide and circulating human RVC strains show relatively narrow genetic and antigenic variation [124][125][126][127][128][129][130][131][132][133][134][135]. So far, a single study from Brazil has reported the zoonotic potential of RVC based on VP6 gene sequence phylogeny.…”

Unexpected detection of porcine rotavirus C strains carrying human origin VP6 gene

“…It is now a well-established etiological agent of diarrheal outbreaks for neonatal and adult gastroenteritis (Araujo et al 2011;Kumazaki and Usuku 2014). It is reported in both symptomatic as well as asymptomatic pigs of all age groups (Morin et al 1990;Kim et al 1999;Collins et al 2008;Marthaler et al 2013).…”