ArticleDiarrheal diseases

Université nationale d'Asuncion (Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencias de la Salud)

Whole-genome analyses reveals the animal origin of a rotavirus G4P[6] detected in a child with severe diarrhea

Martinez M, Galeano ME, Akopov A, Palacios R, Russomando G, Kirkness EF, Parra GI

Infection, Genetics and Evolution, Volume 27, October 2014, Pages 156–162

Abstract

Group A rotaviruses are a major cause of severe gastroenteritis in children worldwide. Currently, two rotavirus vaccines are being used in vaccination programs, and one of the factors involved in lower vaccine efficacy is the mismatch among the circulating strains and the vaccine strains. Thus, the emergence of animal strains in the human population could affect the efficacy of vaccination programs. Here we report the presence of a G4P[6] strain in a Paraguayan child presenting acute gastroenteritis in 2009. Genomic analyses revealed that the strain presents a porcine-like genome (G4-P[6]-I1-R1-C1-M1-A8-N1-T7-E1-H1), suggesting a direct animal-to-human transmission. Continuous surveillance of rotaviruses in humans and animals will help us to better understand rotavirus epidemiology and evolution.

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