High prevalence of circulating DS-1-like human rotavirus A and genotype diversity in children with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand from 2016 to 2019

Abstract

Background Human rotavirus A (RVA) infection is the primary cause of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in infants and young children worldwide, especially in children under 5 years of age and is a major public health problem causing severe diarrhea in children in Thailand. This study aimed to investigate the prevalence, genotype diversity, and molecular characterization of rotavirus infection circulating in children under 15 years of age diagnosed with AGE in Thailand from January 2016 to December 2019. Methods A total of 2,001 stool samples were collected from children with gastroenteritis (neonates to children <15 years of age) and tested for RVA by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Amplified products were sequenced and submitted to an online genotyping tool for analysis. Results Overall, 301 (15.0%) stool samples were positive for RVA. RVA occurred most frequently among children aged 0-24 months. The seasonal incidence of rotavirus infection occurred typically in Thailand during the winter months (December-March). The G3P[8] genotype was identified as the most prevalent genotype (33.2%, 100/301), followed by G8P[8] (10.6%, 32/301), G9P[8] (6.3%, 19/301), G2P[4] (6.0%, 18/301), and G1P[6] (5.3%, 16/301). Uncommon G and P combinations such as G9P[4], G2P[8], G3P[4] and G3P[9] were also detected at low frequencies. In terms of genetic backbone, the unusual DS-1-like G3P[8] was the most frequently detected (28.2%, 85/301), and the phylogenetic analysis demonstrated high nucleotide identity with unusual DS-1-like G3P[8] detected in Thailand and several countries. Conclusions A genetic association between RVA isolates from Thailand and other countries ought to be investigated given the local and global dissemination of rotavirus as it is crucial for controlling viral gastroenteritis, and implications for the national vaccination programs.

Predominance of DS‐1‐like G8P[8] rotavirus reassortant strains in children hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis in Thailand, 2018–2020

“…Although RVA seasonality in different regions of Thailand was observed all year round and typically occurred in the winter months, 11,26,27 the seasonal peak of RVA infection in Chiang Rai occurred uniquely in the hot months from March to May, similar to previous studies. 13,14 This study confirms that RVA incidence in Chiang Rai dominates during the summer.…”

“…6,7 In Thailand, G8P [8] was identified with the increased incidence rates ranging from 7.0% to 22.0%. [8][9][10][11][12] RVA surveillance in Chiang Rai province of Thailand has carried out the diversity and distribution of genotypes since 2015 with the emergence of G9P [8] in 2015-2016 and the equine-like G3P [8] in 2016-2018. 13,14 The purpose of the present study aims to investigate the molecular epidemiology of RVA strains in children hospitalized with AGE in Chiang Rai, Northern Thailand from 2018 to 2020.…”

The Long-Term Impact of Rotavirus Vaccines in Korea, 2008–2020; Emergence of G8P[8] Strain

“…In the US, G3P [8] and G12P [8] dominated in 2009-11 and 2012-13, respectively [21]. Actually, similar increases of G2P [4] strains have been reported even in countries without the vaccination [4], and annual fluctuations in G2P [4] prevalence seemed to occur naturally in disregard of the type of vaccination programs; Rotarix, RotaTeq, or Mixed type [30]. Thus, whether the diversity and distribution of RV genotypes represent vaccine pressure or natural seasonal fluctuations seem to be still unclear.…”

Diverse human and bat-like rotavirus G3 strains circulating in suburban Bangkok

“…Among the RVA strains identified in patients with diarrhea during 2016–2018 [ 31 , 32 ], seven unusual G3 strains initially determined based on the partial nucleotide sequence information were examined (strains B5383, B5356, B4401, B5368, B2682, B4684, and B5662). Archived viral RNA samples were subjected to conventional reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as previously described [ 33 ], including the use of additional primers to amplify the VP4 gene of P[10] ( S1 Table ).…”

“…Although G3 is often found in combination with P[8], P[4], and P[6], pairings with P[9] and P[10] are less frequently reported [ 17 , 21 , 25 – 29 ]. Previously, we conducted surveillances of RVA infection in Thailand from 2015 to 2019 and found that G3 strains were most predominantly detected in adults and children with viral diarrhea [ 30 – 32 ]. Of interests are several atypical G3 strains not associated with the rotavirus vaccine strain, which could have arisen from zoonotic transmission.…”