G and P genotypes of rotavirus circulating among children with diarrhea in the Colombian northern coast

Authors

  • Delfina Urbina Microbiology Group, School of Medicine, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Juan G. Rodríguez Corpogen Corporation, Bogotá D.C., Colombia
  • Octavio Arzuza Microbiology Group, School of Medicine, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Edgar Parra Pediatrics Department, School of Medicine, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Gregorio Young Microbiology Group, School of Medicine, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Raimundo Castro Microbiology Group, School of Medicine, Zaragocilla Campus, University of Cartagena, Colombia
  • Patricia del Portillo Corpogen Corporation, Bogotá D.C., Colombia

Keywords:

rotavirus, diarrhea, genotypes, electropherotypes

Abstract

A study on the prevalence of rotavirus G and P genotypes was carried out based on 253 stool specimens obtained from children living in the Colombia northern coast region who were less than 3-years-old and who suffered from acute diarrhea. A previous study had detected the presence of rotavirus A in 90 (36.5%) of the 246 samples tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and these strains were investigated in the present study. Of these, 50 strains yielded an RNA electropherotype, most of which (80.0%) had long profiles and 20.0% of which had short profiles. Genotyping of 84 positive samples indicated that 67.9% of the strains could be typed. G1 (57.9%), was the most predominant VP7 genotype, followed by G3 (21.1%), G9 (15.8%) and G2 (5.3%). Among the VP4 genotypes, P[4] (49.1%) was the most prevalent, followed by P[6] 36.4% and P[8] (14.5%). Neither G4 nor G8 nor P[9] types were detected. The most common G-P combinations were G3 P[4] (8.8%) and G9 P[6] (7.0%), followed by G1 P[4] and G1 P[8] (5.3% each). All G1 P[8] strains showed long RNA profiles, whereas G3 P[4] and G9 P[6] displayed both long and short patterns. Mixed infections involved 21.0% of strains. There was a marked diversity among strains collected, and novel strains, including G9, as well as other atypical combinations of G and P genotypes, such as G9 P[6] and G3 P[4], were found. [Int Microbiol 2004; 7(2):113-120]

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Published

2010-02-28

Issue

Section

Research Articles