Genetic Variation in the VP4 and NSP4 Genes of Human Rotavirus Serotype 3 (G3 Type) Isolated in China and Japan

Abstract

Sequence analyses of the VP4 and NSP4 genes were performed on twenty human isolates of serotype G3 rotavirus obtained from China and Japan. One isolate from China, CHW17, possessed P [4] genotype VP4 and KUN group NSP4 genes which are associated with G2.One isolate (02/92) from Japan, which was shown to have a wider spacing between RNA segments 10 and 11 by RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic analysis like AU-1, possessed P[9] genotype VP4 and AU-1 group NSP4 genes. The other isolates had P[8] genotype VP4 and Wa group NSP4 genes. While the nucleotide sequence conservation among the G3 VP7 genes was more than 79% (Wen et al, Arch. Virol., 1997, 142: 1481-1489, the conservation of VP4 and NSP4 genes in the same genotypes or groups was more than 85%.

Detection and Characterization of Waterborne Gastroenteritis Viruses in Urban Sewage and Sewage-Polluted River Waters in Caracas, Venezuela

“…The frequencies of detection of G and P types in urban sewage were relatively similar, with genotypes G1 and P [4] occurring in 50% (6 of 12) of the samples. The frequency of detection of the P [8] type was 17% (2 of 12). A G9 genotype strain was detected only once, along with the G1 genotype.…”

“…The G10 type was detected only once, along with the predominant G1 type. The frequencies of detection of P genotypes were 72% (13 of 18) for P [4], followed by 33% (6 of 13) for the P [8] type. NSP4B was present in 78% (14 of 18) of the samples and was the predominant genotype, followed by genotype NSP4A, which was found in 39% (7 of 18) of the samples, always in combination with genotype NSP4B.…”

“…The finding of a G9 strain in one sewage site sampled indicates that the circulation of such a strain may not be uncommon in Venezuela, which is not surprising considering the global emergence of the G9 strain in clinical cases as reported by researchers from other countries (33,50,57). There were also prevalent combinations of G and P types occurring simultaneously in sewage and Guaire River samples that corresponded to G1P [4] and G1P [8]. The G1P [8] strain is employed in Venezuela as a live attenuated vaccine (a RIX4414 strain of G1P [8] specificity) in infants and young children under 1 year; the G1P [4] strain has been reported to be an unusual genotype combination occurring among children with acute gastroenteritis in clinical studies conducted in Japan (39).…”

“…G1 plays a major role in infantile diarrhea worldwide and is the HRV genotype most frequently isolated from sewers in other geographical regions (4,12,33,34,50,57,58). Similarly, the frequent isolation of HRV strains P [4] and P [8] in our study corresponds well with the reported occurrence and distribution of these pathogenic strains worldwide (33). The finding of a G9 strain in one sewage site sampled indicates that the circulation of such a strain may not be uncommon in Venezuela, which is not surprising considering the global emergence of the G9 strain in clinical cases as reported by researchers from other countries (33,50,57).…”

“…There were also prevalent combinations of G and P types occurring simultaneously in sewage and Guaire River samples that corresponded to G1P [4] and G1P [8]. The G1P [8] strain is employed in Venezuela as a live attenuated vaccine (a RIX4414 strain of G1P [8] specificity) in infants and young children under 1 year; the G1P [4] strain has been reported to be an unusual genotype combination occurring among children with acute gastroenteritis in clinical studies conducted in Japan (39).…”