Genotypic characterization of rotavirus in children under 5 years circulating in Côte D’Ivoire from 2010 to 2013

Abstract

BackgroundRotavirus infection is the most common cause of severe gastroenteritis in children under five years of age in both developed and developing countries. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends the surveillance of rotavirus strains prior to vaccine introduction in all applicable countries. The objective of this study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics as well as to determine the circulating genotypes of rotaviruses in Côte d’Ivoire prior to vaccine introduction.MethodsThe study included children under five years of age who met the inclusion criteria after informed consent had been sort from their parents or guardians. Rotavirus VP6 antigens were detected for each stool sample using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Genotyping of positive EIA samples was performed by reverse-transcriptase-PCR (RT-PCR) assays.ResultsA total of 684 children were recruited. Children aged between 6 and 11 months were the most represented with 34%. Rotavirus VP6 antigens were found in 27.1% (186/684) of samples tested. Commonly detected G genotypes included G12 (46.6% (82/176) and G1 (13.1% (23/176) whilst P[8] (49.8% (91/183) was the most predominant P genotype. Rotavirus G12P[8] was the most predominant strain circulating in Côte d’Ivoire within the period of study and constituted 26.6% of all strains detected.ConclusionThe monitoring of circulating strains will help guide decision-makers in the choice of vaccine. Genotypic variability of circulating rotavirus strains over the years implies there is a need for continuous rotavirus strain surveillance even after vaccine introduction.

Molecular Characteristics of Rotavirus Genotypes Circulating in the South of Benin, 2016-2018

“…Unlike reported by the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network where mixed genotypes accounted for 12-14% [23], in our study, a single sample (1%) showed a mixed genotype. Indeed, close association of humans with domesticated animals in most countries of the developing region lead to gene reassortment events within commonly circulating animal rotavirus strains and thus give rise to a large genomic diversity and frequent occurrence of mixed infections [19]. However, studies from some Africans settings have shown no mixed genotypes [23] or a very low rate (1%) of mixed infections [20] similar to our ndings.…”

“…At country level in West Africa, before vaccine introduction, Ghana reported G1P [8] (20%) as the predominant genotype [17], but others genotypes such as G6P [6] was found to be medically important in Burkina Faso [18], G12P [8] in Côte d'Ivoire [19] and G4P [8] and G12P [8] in Nigeria [20,21]. During the post vaccine period, Ghana reported G1P [8] as the fourth common genotype detected with a rate of 8.0% [17].…”

“…Commonly detected at low rates in Africa, over the past decade, G12P [8] has been isolated as a predominant genotype in some countries such as Côte d'Ivoire and Nigeria in the pre-vaccination period [19,21], and Ghana in the post-vaccination period [17]. Also, according to some studies, G12P [8] may come from a reassortment between human and pig rotavirus strains [31].…”

Molecular characteristics of rotavirus genotypes circulating in the south of Benin, 2016-2018

“…Unlike reported by the African Rotavirus Surveillance Network where mixed genotypes accounted for 12-14% (36), in our study, a single sample (1%) showed a mixed genotype. Indeed, close association of humans with domesticated animals in most countries of the developing region lead to gene reassortment events within commonly circulating animal rotavirus strains and thus give rise to a large genomic diversity and frequent occurrence of mixed infections (20). However, studies from some Africans settings have shown no mixed genotypes (37) or a very low rate (1%) of mixed infections (20) similar to our ndings.…”

“…At country level in West Africa, before vaccine introduction, Ghana reported G1P [8] (20%) as the predominant genotype (18), but others genotypes such as G6P [6] was found to be medically important in Burkina Faso (19), G12P [8] in Côte d'Ivoire (20) and G4P [8] and G12P [8] in Nigeria (21,22). During the post vaccine period, Ghana reported G1P [8] as the fourth common genotype detected with a rate of 8.0% (18).…”