Abstract

Numerous rotavirus group A (RVA) strains with distinct G-genotype and P-genotype combinations have been described infecting humans worldwide. However, the increasing amount of complete RVA genome data which have become available, suggest that only RVA strains with 2 discrete genotype constellations have been successful in sustaining infection of humans worldwide over longer periods of time. Those genotype constellations have been designated I1-R1-C1-M1-A1-N1-T1-E1-H1 and I2-R2-C2-M2-A2-N2-T2-E2-H2 and are also known as Wa-like and DS-1-like, respectively. RVAs of other genotype constellations which were able to spread to a limited extent in the human population are AU-1-related RVA strains (I3-R3-C3-M3-A3/A12-N3-T3-E3-H3/H6) in combination with G3P[9] or G12P[9], and neonatal G10P[11] RVA strains in India (bovine×human Wa-like reassortants). On the basis of the analysis of complete genomes, it is suggested that the overall genetic diversity of epidemiologically widespread human RVA strains is more limited than generally assumed. This conclusion has consequences for how we look at host range restriction and the criteria according to which the effectiveness of RVA universal mass vaccination programs is assessed.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Matthijnssens J, Van Ranst M

Institution

Laboratory of Clinical & Epidemiological Virology, Rega Institute for Medical Research, University of Leuven, Leuven, Belgium. jelle.matthijnssens@uz.kuleuven.ac.be

Source

Current opinion in virology 2:4 2012 Aug pg 426-33

MeSH

Animals
Evolution, Molecular
Genetic Variation
Genotype
Humans
Phylogeny
Rotavirus
Rotavirus Infections

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22683209