Molecular characterization of G2P[4] and G9P[8] rotaviruses strains isolated from Moroccan children fully vaccinated with Rotarix™ between 2013 and 2014. Issue 1 (2nd January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Boulahyaoui, Hassan; Alaoui Amine, Sanaa; Melloul, Marouane; Loutfi, Chafiqa; Tagajdid, Reda; El Annaz, Hicham; Touil, Nadia; Singh Malik, Yashpal; El Fahime, Elmostafa; Mrani, Saad
• Is Part Of: Alexandria journal of medicine. Volume 55:Issue 1(2019)
• Page Start: 7
• Page End: 14
• Publication Date: 2019-01-02
• Subjects: Rotarix -- G2P[4] and G9P[8] genotypes -- phylogenetic analysis -- VP8* neutralizing domains -- Morocco; Medicine -- Periodicals; 610.5
• DOI: 10.1080/20905068.2019.1592887
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2090-5068

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background: Here, we describe the characterization of the VP7 and VP4 genes of rotavirus group A (RVA) strains isolated from Moroccan infants with acute gastroenteritis (AGE) after receiving the Rotarix. Methods: Stool samples were collected from seven infants suffering with AGE. Vesikari 20-point was used while collecting the AGE information. RT-PCR followed by sequencing was employed to determine partial sequences from VP7 and VP4 encoding genes. RVA genotypes were determined using the RotaC online classification tool.The Neighbor-Joining phylogenetic tree was performed in the MEGA 6.06 software as well as the amino acid (aa) alignments of VP7 and VP8* antigenic epitopes. Results: Five children had gastroenteritis episodes defined as severe on the Vesikari scale. Analysis of VP7 gene sequences revealed five G2 and two G9 genotypes. These genotypes were associated with P[4] and P[8], respectively. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that G2 and G9 sequences grouped together with Italian strain belonging to lineage II and III respectively. Their P[4] sequences showed only 65-73% identity and grouped into two separate sub-clusters. The Moroccan P[8] isolates did not display this correlation and segregate to lineage III. The VP8* aa of P[8] when compared with that of the Rotarix vaccine, has a six aa differences. Conclusion: Although, this study does not reveal prevalence rates of RVA in infants after the vaccine introduction, it reports the detection and genetic characteristics of the G2P[4] and G9P[8] RVA types in vaccinated children in Morocco. The findings are suggestive of continuous surveillance program on rotavirus evolution in the vaccinated population.