Rotavirus Strain Diversity in the Centre Coast of Tunisia from 2000 through 2003

Abstract

An epidemiological survey investigating rotavirus infection in children was undertaken in the coastal region of Tunisia from January 2000 through September 2003. A total of 309 fecal specimens were screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and latex agglutination assay for the presence of group A rotavirus antigen. The detection rate was 26.2%. Rotavirus outbreaks showed a temperature-dependant pattern (P = .026) but no significant association with rainfall. Rotavirus strains isolated were analyzed by RNA polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and were characterized antigenically by monoclonal antibodies to the VP6 subgroup. Eight RNA electropherotypes were identified, with 3 long and 5 short different RNA profiles. Among VP6 typeable strains, all isolates with a long electrophoretic pattern carried the subgroup II specificity, whereas those with a short profile belonged to subgroup I. In total, 48 rotavirus-positive samples were analyzed for G and P typing by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. A total of 8 different G and P combinations were found: G1P[8] (35.7%), G1P[6] (21.4%), G2P[4] (4.8%), G3P[4] (4.8%), G4P[6] (4.8%), G8P[8] (4.8%), G3P[8] (2.3%), and G4P[8] (2.3%). Mixed infections were detected in 19.1% of stool samples. The emergence in Tunisia of unconventional types, such as G8VP7 specificity, highlights the need for a continual survey of the uncommon strains in North Africa.

Distribution of rotavirus VP7 and VP4 genotypes circulating in Tunisia from 2009 to 2014: Emergence of the genotype G12

“…This study extends previous epidemiological surveillance on RVA disease and genotype prevalence in Tunisian children <5 years of age consulting for acute gastroenteritis since 1995 (Chouikha et al, 2007(Chouikha et al, , 2011aTrabelsi et al, 2000Trabelsi et al, , 2010, and this prior to the introduction of RVA vaccination in the national childhood vaccination programme.…”

“…This rate is similar to those reported in the Tunisian studies conducted between 1995 and 2008 by the national RV surveillance group (17.3-26.2 %) (Ben Hadj Fredj et al, 2012;Chouikha et al, 2009Chouikha et al, , 2011aTrabelsi et al, 2000Trabelsi et al, , 2010. Moreover, it is comparable to the detection rates reported for African countries where RV vaccine is not yet included in the free national childhood programme: 25.2 % in Egypt (Matson et al, 2010), 18 % in Tanzania (Moyo et al, 2007) and 18 % in Nigeria (Aminu et al, 2010).…”

“…The present study, associated with previous reports of RVA infection in Tunisia (Hassine-Zaafrane et al, 2011; Trabelsi et al, 2000Trabelsi et al, , 2010, allowed observation of a seasonal pattern of RVA infection characterized by marked outbreak peaks occurring during the coolest months of the years; RVA was found to occur predominately in autumn and winter, with peaks observed annually between November and March. This seasonality is typical of that seen in many temperate climates.…”

“…G1P [8] represents the predominant combination circulating in Tunisia, with a prevalence of 34.4 %. Between 1995 and2004, G1P[8] was the predominant RVA strain in Tunisia (Chouikha et al, 2007;Trabelsi et al, 2000Trabelsi et al, , 2010 (Argüelles et al, 2000;Ben Hadj Fredj et al, 2012;Mukherjee et al, 2010). This reflects the great variability of RVA and the possibility of reassortment among strains.…”

Epidemiology of Rotavirus Diarrhea and Diversity of Rotavirus Strains Among Children Less Than 5 Years of Age with Acute Gastroenteritis in Mauritius

“…24 Other studies have found no clear relationship between the timing of the peak in rotavirus activity with either season. 23 However, in mauritius, during the surveillance study, 2 rotavirus peaks were detected during winter seasons from July to October in 2008 and 2010, and Several different rotavirus strains circulated during each year of this study, as has been observed in other studies. 23 However, in mauritius, during the surveillance study, 2 rotavirus peaks were detected during winter seasons from July to October in 2008 and 2010, and Several different rotavirus strains circulated during each year of this study, as has been observed in other studies.…”