Short Communication: Rotavirus Group A Occurrence in Rural Water Source Samples in a Midwest Region State of Brazil, Comparing Wet and Dry Seasons.

Identified as a potential reference pathogen by the WHO Guidelines for Drinking-Water Quality, Rotavirus (RV) is among the main enteric viruses that cause waterborne diseases. The aim of this study was to identify and correlate the presence of RV in collective and individual water sources of rural communities in the state of Goiás, within the seasons in which the collections were made (rainy and dry seasons). For this, 86 water samples in the dry period and 160 samples in the rainy period were collected. Concentration of water samples, extraction of viral genetic material and molecular tests were performed. When analyzing the presence of RV in the samples, taking into consideration the period studied, RV was found to be more prevalent in the dry season (54.7%) than in the rainy season (20%), showing a strong statistical association with the dry season (p-value < 0.001). The presence of pathogenic microorganisms in water is a public risk issue, enabling the emergence of outbreaks, endemics and epidemics. In the present research, there was an association between the presence of Rotavirus and the dry period of the year when compared to the rainy period.

Fecal leukocyte frequency in children with acute viral gastroenteritis: a single-center experience.

OBJECTIVE: Our objective was to determine the frequency of rotavirus, adenovirus, and rota-adenovirus co-infections and investigate the fecal leukocyte rate associated with these infections in patients with gastroenteritis. METHODS: This is a retrospective study. We identified patients who were admitted to the pediatric emergency department with acute gastroenteritis and had their stool samples tested for rotavirus and/or adenovirus antigens. Among them, we determined the individuals who underwent stool microscopy tests on the same day and recorded their results. RESULTS: A total of 1,577 patients who underwent testing for rotavirus and/or adenovirus antigens in their stool samples were identified. Among these patients, 583 individuals had concurrent fecal microscopy results. The prevalence of solely rotavirus antigen positivity was 16.4%, solely adenovirus antigen positivity was 2.9%, and rota-adenovirus co-infections were detected in 1.8% of the children. The fecal leukocyte rates in children infected with rotavirus, adenovirus, and rota-adenovirus co-infections were 4.8, 13.3, and 88.9%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The presence of fecal leukocytes was detected at a high rate in cases of viral gastroenteritis, especially in rota-adenovirus co-infections. Therefore, clinicians should not consider only bacterial pathogens in the presence of fecal leukocytes.

Impact of rotavirus vaccination on diarrheal disease burden of children in South America.

INTRODUCTION: Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrheal disease and death in children under five years of age worldwide. Vaccination is one of the most important public health interventions to reduce this significant burden. AREAS COVERED: This literature review examined vaccination coverage, hospitalization rate, mortality, genotypic distribution, immunogenicity, cost-effectiveness, and risk versus benefit of rotavirus vaccination in children in South America. Nine out of twelve countries in South America currently include a rotavirus vaccine in their national immunization program with coverage rates in 2022 above 90%. EXPERT OPINION: Introduction of the rotavirus vaccination has led to a marked reduction in hospitalizations and deaths from diarrheal diseases in children under 5 years, particularly infants under 1 year, in several South American countries. In Brazil, hospitalizations decreased by 59% and deaths by 21% (30-38% in infants). In Peru, hospitalizations in infants fell by 46% and deaths by 37% (56% in infants). Overall, data suggest that rotavirus vaccination has reduced rotavirus deaths by 15-50% in various South American countries. There is some evidence that immunity wanes after the age of 1-year old. Ongoing surveillance of vaccine coverage and changes in morbidity and mortality is important to maximize protection against this disease.

Emergence and dissemination of equine-like G3P[8] rotavirus A in Brazil between 2015 and 2021.

Rotavirus A (RVA) is a major cause of acute gastroenteritis globally that is classically genotyped by its two immunodominant outer capsid proteins, VP7 (G-) and VP4 (P-). Recent evidence suggests that the reassortant equine-like G3P[8] strain played a substantial role in RVA transmission in Brazil since 2015. To understand its global emergence and dissemination in Brazilian territory, stool samples collected from 11 Brazilian states (n = 919) were genotyped by RT-qPCR and proceeded to sequence the VP7 gene (n = 102, 79 being newly generated) of the G3P[8] samples with pronounced viral loads. Our phylogenetic genotyping showed that G3P[8] became the dominant strain in Brazil between 2017 and 2020, with equine-like variants representing 75%-100% of VP7 samples in this period. A Bayesian discrete phylogeographic analysis strongly suggests that the equine-like G3P[8] strain originated in Asia during the early 2010s and subsequently spread to Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. Multiple introductions were detected in Brazil between 2014 and 2017, resulting in five national clusters. The reconstruction of the effective population size of the largest Brazilian cluster showed an expansion until 2017, followed by a plateau phase until 2019 and subsequent contraction. Our study also supports that most mutations fixed during equine-like G3P[8] evolution were synonymous, suggesting that adaptive evolution was not an important driving force during viral dissemination in humans, potentially increasing its susceptibility to acquired immunity. This research emphasizes the need for comprehensive rotavirus genomic surveillance that allows close monitoring of its ever-shifting composition and informs more effective public health policies.IMPORTANCEOur original article demonstrated the origin and spread in a short time of equine-like G3P[8] in Brazil and the world. Due to its segmented genome, it allows numerous mechanisms including genetic drift and reassortment contribute substantially to the genetic diversity of rotavirus. Although the effectiveness and increasing implementation of vaccination have not been questioned, a matter of concern is its impact on the emergence of escape mutants or even the spread of unusual strains of zoonotic transmission that could drive epidemic patterns worldwide. This research emphasizes the need for comprehensive rotavirus genomic surveillance, which could facilitate the formulation of public policies aimed at preventing and mitigating its transmission.

Etiologies of Mild and Moderate Diarrheal Illness among Children in Consuelo, Dominican Republic.

Since the rotavirus vaccine was included in the Dominican Republic's national immunization schedule in 2012, the microbiologic etiologies of acute gastroenteritis have not been described. This study aimed to determine the contribution of rotavirus as an etiology of acute gastroenteritis over a 12-month period in children under 5 years of age in both an inpatient and an outpatient setting in Consuelo, Dominican Republic. All children who were seen at Niños Primeros en Salud clinic or admitted to Hospital Municipal Dr. Angel Ponce Pinedo for acute gastroenteritis during January 2021-April 2022 were enrolled in the study. Stools were evaluated for rotavirus, enteric parasites, and pathogenic bacteria. Pathogen detection was compared between outpatients and inpatients and on the basis of child's vaccination status. From 181 children enrolled, 170 stool samples were collected, 28 (16.5%) from inpatients and 142 (83.5%) from outpatients. Rotavirus was the most commonly detected pathogen and was proportionately more common among hospitalized children, with nine (32.1%) cases among hospitalized children and 16 (11.3%) among outpatient children. (Pearson χ2 = 8.1, P = 0.004). Among patients with a positive rotavirus result, vaccination rate was lower among moderate (hospitalized) (three of six; 50%) compared with mild (outpatient) diarrhea patients (12 of 15; 80%). Giardia lamblia (10%) was the next most prevalent pathogen detected in both inpatients and outpatients using standard laboratory measures. Despite the availability of rotavirus vaccination, rotavirus remains a common cause of gastrointestinal illness among children under 5 years of age in our cohort. Incomplete vaccination status was associated with hospitalization for gastrointestinal illness.

Rotavirus A and D circulating in commercial chicken flocks in southeastern Brazil.

Rotavirus (RV) outbreaks can cause significant economic losses in the livestock and poultry industries. Stool samples were collected from asymptomatic laying and broiler chickens from commercial poultry farms in the states of Rio de Janeiro and Espírito Santo in southeastern Brazil for detection of RV species A and D (RVA and RVD, respectively) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. RV was detected in 10.5% (34/325) of samples: 22 (64.7%) were positive for RVA and nine (26.5%) for RVD, while three (8.8%) exhibited coinfections with both viruses. Sequence analysis of a VP6 fragment from seven RVA-positive samples identified the I11 genotype in all samples. Information regarding avian RV epidemiology is still scanty, despite the high prevalence of RV infections in several bird species and subsequent economic impact. Consequently, monitoring infections caused by avian RVs, especially in commercial birds, is essential not only to provide new and relevant information regarding the biology, epidemiology, and evolution of these viruses, but also to facilitate the implementation of preventive measures.

Molecular Epidemiology of Rotavirus A in Calves: Evolutionary Analysis of a Bovine G8P[11] Strain and Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of G6 Lineages in the Americas.

Rotavirus A (RVA) causes diarrhea in calves and frequently possesses the G6 and P[5]/P[11] genotypes, whereas G8 is less common. We aimed to compare RVA infections and G/P genotypes in beef and dairy calves from major livestock regions of Argentina, elucidate the evolutionary origin of a G8 strain and analyze the G8 lineages, infer the phylogenetic relationship of RVA field strains, and investigate the evolution and spatio-temporal dynamics of the main G6 lineages in American countries. Fecal samples (n = 422) from diarrheic (beef, 104; dairy, 137) and non-diarrheic (beef, 78; dairy, 103) calves were analyzed by ELISA and semi-nested multiplex RT-PCR. Sequencing, phylogenetic, phylodynamic, and phylogeographic analyses were performed. RVA infections were more frequent in beef (22.0%) than in dairy (14.2%) calves. Prevalent genotypes and G6 lineages were G6(IV)P[5] in beef (90.9%) and G6(III)P[11] (41.2%) or mixed genotypes (23.5%) in dairy calves. The only G8 strain was phylogenetically related to bovine and artiodactyl bovine-like strains. Re-analyses inside the G8 genotype identified G8(I) to G8(VIII) lineages. Of all G6 strains characterized, the G6(IV)P[5](I) strains from "Cuenca del Salado" (Argentina) and Uruguay clustered together. According to farm location, a clustering pattern for G6(IV)P[5] strains of beef farms was observed. Both G6 lineage strains together revealed an evolutionary rate of 1.24 × 10-3 substitutions/site/year, and the time to the most recent common ancestor was dated in 1853. The most probable ancestral locations were Argentina in 1981 for G6(III) strains and the USA in 1940 for G6(IV) strains. The highest migration rates for both G6 lineages together were from Argentina to Brazil and Uruguay. Altogether, the epidemiology, genetic diversity, and phylogeny of RVA in calves can differ according to the production system and farm location. We provide novel knowledge about the evolutionary origin of a bovine G8P[11] strain. Finally, bovine G6 strains from American countries would have originated in the USA nearly a century before its first description.

A Comparison of Pathogen Detection and Risk Factors among Symptomatic Children with Gastroenteritis Compared with Asymptomatic Children in the Post-rotavirus Vaccine Era.

OBJECTIVE: To describe demographics, pathogen distribution/seasonality, and risk factors in children seeking care for acute gastroenteritis (AGE) at a midwestern US emergency department during 5 postrotavirus vaccine years (2011-2016), and further, to compare the same data with matched healthy controls (HC). STUDY DESIGN: AGE and HC participants <11 years old enrolled in the New Vaccine Surveillance Network study between December 2011 to June 2016 were included. AGE was defined as ≥3 diarrhea episodes or ≥1 vomiting episode. Each HC's age was similar to an AGE participant's age. Pathogens were analyzed for seasonality effects. Participant risk factors for AGE illness and pathogen detections were compared between HC and a matched subset of AGE cases. RESULTS: One or more organisms was detected in 1159 of 2503 children (46.3%) with AGE compared with 99 of 537 HC (17.3%). Norovirus was detected most frequently among AGE (n = 568 [22.7%]) and second-most frequently in HC (n = 39 [6.8%]). Rotavirus was the second most frequently detected pathogen among AGE (n = 196 [7.8%]). Children with AGE were significantly more likely to have reported a sick contact compared with HC, both outside the home (15.6% vs 1.4%; P < .001) and inside the home (18.6% vs 2.1%; P < .001). Daycare attendance was higher among children with AGE (41.4%) compared with HC (29.5%; P < .001). The Clostridium difficile detection rate was slightly higher among HC (7.0%) than AGE (5.3%). CONCLUSIONS: Norovirus was the most prevalent pathogen among children with AGE. Norovirus was detected in some HC, suggesting potential asymptomatic shedding among HC. The proportion of AGE participants with a sick contact was approximately 10 times greater than that of HC.

Detection of rotavirus and norovirus among children with acute gastroenteritis in Merida and Chihuahua cities, Mexico.

INTRODUCTION: Infantile acute gastroenteritis (AGE) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in developing countries. The most frequent etiological agents of viral gastroenteritis in children are adenovirus, astrovirus, rotavirus, and norovirus, the last two, leading causes. Thus, the aim of this study was to identify the presence of these two viruses in children with AGE, from two cities located in the Southeast and the Northwest regions of México. METHODOLOGY: HuNoVs were detected and characterized by RT-PCR and sequencing, while RVs were detected by RNA electrophoresis. RESULTS: The presence of RV and HuNoV was evaluated in 81 stool samples; 37 were collected between April and July 2013 from patients with acute diarrhea in Merida, and 44 were collected between January and June 2017 in Chihuahua, who attended health services. Despite vaccination, RV resulted in the predominant viruses detected, with 30.8% (25/81) positivity, while HuNoV infection was present in 8.6% (7/81) of the stool samples; GII strains were identified circulating in the Southeast, while GI strains were identified in the Northwest. Moreover, co-infections with both viruses were detected at a prevalence rate of 2.4% (2/81). CONCLUSIONS: The circulation of RV and HuNoV in the country is continuous and should be constantly monitored due to their impact on public health.

Nonsecretor Phenotype Is Associated With Less Risk of Rotavirus-Associated Acute Gastroenteritis in a Vaccinated Nicaraguan Birth Cohort.

BACKGROUND: Histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) have been associated with rotavirus vaccine take; but the effect of these HBGAs on rotavirus incidence and risk remains poorly explored in vaccinated populations. METHODS: Rotavirus-associated acute gastroenteritis (AGE) was assessed in 444 Nicaraguan children followed from birth until 3 years of age. AGE episodes were tested for rotavirus by reverse-transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and saliva or blood was used to determine HBGA phenotypes. Cox proportional hazards models were used to estimate the relative hazard of rotavirus AGE by HBGA phenotypes. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 109 (7%) stool samples from 1689 AGE episodes over 36 months of observation between June 2017 and July 2021. Forty-six samples were successfully genotyped. Of these, 15 (35%) were rotavirus vaccine strain G1P[8], followed by G8P[8] or G8P[nt] (11 [24%]) and equine-like G3P[8] (11 [24%]). The overall incidence of rotavirus-associated AGE was 9.2 per 100 child-years, and was significantly higher in secretor than nonsecretor children (9.8 vs 3.5/100 child-years, P = .002). CONCLUSIONS: The nonsecretor phenotype was associated with decreased risk of clinical rotavirus vaccine failure in a vaccinated Nicaraguan birth cohort. These results show the importance of secretor status on rotavirus risk, even in vaccinated children.

Molecular Characterization of Avian Rotaviruses F and G Detected in Brazilian Poultry Flocks.

Avian rotaviruses (RVs) are important etiologic agents of gastroenteritis in birds. In general, avian RVs are understudied; consequently, there is a paucity of information regarding these viruses. Therefore, the characterization of these viral species is highly relevant because more robust information on genetic, epidemiologic, and evolutionary characteristics can clarify the importance of these infections, and inform efficient prevention and control measures. In this study, we describe partial genome characterizations of two avian RV species, RVF and RVG, detected in asymptomatic poultry flocks in Brazil. Complete or partial sequences of at least one of the genomic segments encoding VP1, VP2, VP4, VP6, VP7, NSP1, NSP4, NSP4, or NSP5 of 23 RVF and 3 RVG strains were obtained, and demonstrated that multiple variants of both RVF and RVG circulate among Brazilian poultry. In this study, new and important information regarding the genomic characteristics of RVF and RVG is described. In addition, the circulation of these viruses in the study region and the genetic variability of the strains detected are demonstrated. Thus, the data generated in this work should help in understanding the genetics and ecology of these viruses. Nonetheless, the availability of a greater number of sequences is necessary to advance the understanding of the evolution and zoonotic potential of these viruses.

Effectiveness of Pentavalent Rotavirus Vaccine in Shanghai, China: A Test-Negative Design Study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate vaccine effectiveness (VE) of a live oral pentavalent rotavirus vaccine (RotaTeq, RV5) among young children in Shanghai, China, via a test-negative design study. STUDY DESIGN: We consecutively recruited children visiting a tertiary children's hospital for acute diarrhea from November 2021 to February 2022. Information on clinical data and rotavirus vaccination was collected. Fresh fecal samples were obtained for rotavirus detection and genotyping. To evaluate VE of RV5 against rotavirus gastroenteritis among young children, unconditional logistic regression models were conducted to compare ORs for vaccination between rotavirus-positive cases and test-negative controls. RESULTS: A total of 390 eligible children with acute diarrhea were enrolled, including 45 (11.54%) rotavirus-positive cases and 345 (88.46%) test-negative controls. After excluding 4 cases (8.89%) and 55 controls (15.94%) who had received the Lanzhou lamb rotavirus vaccine, 41 cases (12.39%) and 290 controls (87.61%) were included for the evaluation of RV5 VE. After adjustment for potential confounders, the 3-dose RV5 vaccination showed 85% (95% CI, 50%-95%) VE against mild to moderate rotavirus gastroenteritis among children aged 14 weeks to ≤4 years and 97% (95% CI, 83%-100%) VE among children aged 14 weeks to ≤2 years with genotypes G8P8, G9P8, and G2P4 represented 78.95%, 18.42%, and 2.63% of circulation strains, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: A 3-dose vaccination of RV5 is highly protective against rotavirus gastroenteritis among young children in Shanghai. The G8P8 genotype prevailled in Shanghai after RV5 introduction.

Detection of G3 human-like rotavirus in institutionalized dogs from Brazil.

Viral gastroenteritis is a common clinical problem in dogs and group A rotavirus (RVA) is one of the agents involved in this etiology. It mainly affects dogs in the first 6 months of life, and these animals are considered an important reservoir and potential transmitters of the virus to other susceptible hosts, such as humans. Among the different types of RVA, G3 is the most detected in dogs, and this genotype is also involved in infections in other animals, including humans. Thus, the present study aims to investigate the presence of RVA in samples of dogs from a public kennel. A total of 64 fecal samples from dogs with diarrhea were analyzed, collected from April 2019 to March 2020, from the kennel of the Zoonosis Control Center, located in Belém, a city in the North of Brazil. The extracted genetic material was subjected to reverse transcription followed by real-time PCR (RT-qPCR); the positives were tested by RT-PCR with a specific primer for the RVA VP7 gene, after nucleotide sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. One sample was subjected to high-performance sequencing. A positivity of 7.8% (5/64) was observed for RVA, all characterized as G3, grouping in the G3-III lineage, with greater similarity to human samples. Different regions of the RVA genome fragments were found. These results emphasize the need for animal health surveillance to better understand the global strain dispersion of RVA and elucidate possible interspecies transmission events, monitoring the genetic diversity of this pathogen.

Genomic Constellation of Human Rotavirus G8 Strains in Brazil over a 13-Year Period: Detection of the Novel Bovine-like G8P[8] Strains with the DS-1-like Backbone.

Rotavirus (RVA) G8 is frequently detected in animals, but only occasionally in humans. G8 strains, however, are frequently documented in nations in Africa. Recently, an increase in G8 detection was observed outside Africa. The aims of the study were to monitor G8 infections in the Brazilian human population between 2007 and 2020, undertake the full-genotype characterization of the four G8P[4], six G8P[6] and two G8P[8] RVA strains and conduct phylogenetic analysis in order to understand their genetic diversity and evolution. A total of 12,978 specimens were screened for RVA using ELISA, PAGE, RT-PCR and Sanger sequencing. G8 genotype represented 0.6% (15/2434) of the entirely RVA-positive samples. G8P[4] comprised 33.3% (5/15), G8P[6] 46.7% (7/15) and G8P[8] 20% (3/15). All G8 strains showed a short RNA pattern. All twelve selected G8 strains displayed a DS-1-like genetic backbone. The whole-genotype analysis on a DS-1-like backbone identified four different genotype-linage constellations. According to VP7 analysis, the Brazilian G8P[8] strains with the DS-1-like backbone strains were derived from cattle and clustered with newly DS-1-like G1/G3/G9/G8P[8] strains and G2P[4] strains. Brazilian IAL-R193/2017/G8P[8] belonged to a VP1/R2.XI lineage and were grouped with bovine-like G8P[8] strains with the DS-1-like backbone strains detected in Asia. Otherwise, the Brazilian IAL-R558/2017/G8P[8] possess a "Distinct" VP1/R2 lineage never previously described and grouped apart from any of the DS-1-like reference strains. Collectively, our findings suggest that the Brazilian bovine-like G8P[8] strains with the DS-1-like backbone strains are continuously evolving and likely reassorting with local RVA strains rather than directly relating to imports from Asia. The Brazilian G8P[6]-DS-1-like strains have been reassorted with nearby co-circulating American strains of the same DS-1 genotype constellation. However, phylogenetic analyses revealed that these strains have some genetic origin from Africa. Finally, rather than being African-born, Brazilian G8P[4]-DS-1-like strains were likely imported from Europe. None of the Brazilian G8 strains examined here exhibited signs of recent zoonotic reassortment. G8 strains continued to be found in Brazil according to their intermittent and localized pattern, thus, does not suggest that a potential emergence is taking place in the country. Our research demonstrates the diversity of G8 RVA strains in Brazil and adds to the understanding of G8P[4]/P[6]/P[8] RVA genetic diversity and evolution on a global scale.

Molecular detection and prevalence of Rotavirus with acute gastroenteritis among the children of rural and urban areas / Detecção molecular e prevalência de rotavírus com gastroenterite aguda entre as crianças de áreas rurais e urbanas

Rotavirus is the main infective agent of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children under the age of five years and causing significant morbidity as well as mortality throughout the world. The study was carried out to detect the prevalence rate, genotypes strain and risk factors of Rotavirus among the children of rural and urban areas of district Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 180 stool samples were collected from children under the age of 5 years from two major hospitals of Bannu from January to December (2015). The samples were analyzed by Reverse-transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of Rotavirus, positive samples were further processed for genotyping (G and P type) through specific PCR. Of the total, 41 (23%) samples were positive for Rotavirus. The most prevalent G genotypes found were: G3, G8, G9 (each 29%), followed by G10 (15%), and G11 (10%). Whereas the prevalent P genotypes were: P-8 (25%), P-4 and P-10 (each 20%), P-9 (15%), followed by P-6 and P-11 (each 10%). Moreover, Rotavirus infection was more prevalent in summer (23.73%) and winter (22.7%) than spring (20%) and autumn (21.4%). Rotavirus infection exhibited high frequency in June (14%), October (8%) and November (6%). It is concluded that Rotavirus is more prevalent in children and various genotypes (G and P) of Rotavirus are present in the study area. Lack of studies, awareness and rarer testing of Rotavirus are the principal reasons of virus prevalence in district Bannu, Pakistan.

O rotavírus é o principal agente infeccioso da gastroenterite aguda (AGE) em crianças menores de 5 anos e causa de morbidade e mortalidade significativas em todo o mundo. O estudo foi realizado para detectar a taxa de prevalência, cepa de genótipos e fatores de risco de rotavírus entre as crianças de áreas rurais e urbanas do distrito de Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Um total de 180 amostras de fezes foi coletada de crianças menores de 5 anos de dois grandes hospitais de Bannu de janeiro a dezembro (2015). As amostras foram analisadas por reação em cadeia da polimerase transcriptase reversa (RT-PCR) para detecção de rotavírus; as amostras positivas foram posteriormente processadas para genotipagem (tipo G e P) através de PCR específica. Do total, 41 (23%) amostras foram positivas para rotavírus. Os genótipos G mais prevalentes encontrados foram: G3, G8, G9 (cada 29%), seguidos de G10 (15%) e G11 (10%). Considerando que os genótipos P prevalentes foram: P-8 (25%), P-4 e P-10 (cada 20%), P-9 (15%), seguido por P-6 e P-11 (cada 10%). Além disso, a infecção por rotavírus foi mais prevalente no verão (23,73%) e inverno (22,7%) do que na primavera (20%) e no outono (21,4%). A infecção por rotavírus apresentou alta frequência em junho (14%), outubro (8%) e novembro (6%). Conclui-se que o rotavírus é mais prevalente em crianças e vários genótipos (G e P) do rotavírus estão presentes na área de estudo. A falta de estudos, conhecimento e testes mais raros de rotavírus são as principais razões da prevalência do vírus no distrito de Bannu, Paquistão.

Molecular detection and prevalence of Rotavirus with acute gastroenteritis among the children of rural and urban areas / Detecção molecular e prevalência de rotavírus com gastroenterite aguda entre as crianças de áreas rurais e urbanas

Rotavirus is the main infective agent of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children under the age of five years and causing significant morbidity as well as mortality throughout the world. The study was carried out to detect the prevalence rate, genotypes strain and risk factors of Rotavirus among the children of rural and urban areas of district Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Pakistan. A total of 180 stool samples were collected from children under the age of 5 years from two major hospitals of Bannu from January to December (2015). The samples were analyzed by Reverse-transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) for the detection of Rotavirus, positive samples were further processed for genotyping (G and P type) through specific PCR. Of the total, 41 (23%) samples were positive for Rotavirus. The most prevalent G genotypes found were: G3, G8, G9 (each 29%), followed by G10 (15%), and G11 (10%). Whereas the prevalent P genotypes were: P-8 (25%), P-4 and P-10 (each 20%), P-9 (15%), followed by P-6 and P-11 (each 10%). Moreover, Rotavirus infection was more prevalent in summer (23.73%) and winter (22.7%) than spring (20%) and autumn (21.4%). Rotavirus infection exhibited high frequency in June (14%), October (8%) and November (6%). It is concluded that Rotavirus is more prevalent in children and various genotypes (G and P) of Rotavirus are present in the study area. Lack of studies, awareness and rarer testing of Rotavirus are the principal reasons of virus prevalence in district Bannu, Pakistan.(AU)

O rotavírus é o principal agente infeccioso da gastroenterite aguda (AGE) em crianças menores de 5 anos e causa de morbidade e mortalidade significativas em todo o mundo. O estudo foi realizado para detectar a taxa de prevalência, cepa de genótipos e fatores de risco de rotavírus entre as crianças de áreas rurais e urbanas do distrito de Bannu Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Paquistão. Um total de 180 amostras de fezes foi coletada de crianças menores de 5 anos de dois grandes hospitais de Bannu de janeiro a dezembro (2015). As amostras foram analisadas por reação em cadeia da polimerase transcriptase reversa (RT-PCR) para detecção de rotavírus; as amostras positivas foram posteriormente processadas para genotipagem (tipo G e P) através de PCR específica. Do total, 41 (23%) amostras foram positivas para rotavírus. Os genótipos G mais prevalentes encontrados foram: G3, G8, G9 (cada 29%), seguidos de G10 (15%) e G11 (10%). Considerando que os genótipos P prevalentes foram: P-8 (25%), P-4 e P-10 (cada 20%), P-9 (15%), seguido por P-6 e P-11 (cada 10%). Além disso, a infecção por rotavírus foi mais prevalente no verão (23,73%) e inverno (22,7%) do que na primavera (20%) e no outono (21,4%). A infecção por rotavírus apresentou alta frequência em junho (14%), outubro (8%) e novembro (6%). Conclui-se que o rotavírus é mais prevalente em crianças e vários genótipos (G e P) do rotavírus estão presentes na área de estudo. A falta de estudos, conhecimento e testes mais raros de rotavírus são as principais razões da prevalência do vírus no distrito de Bannu, Paquistão.(AU)

Phylogeography of Rotavirus G8P[8] Detected in Argentina: Evidence of Transpacific Dissemination.

Rotavirus is one of the leading causes of diarrhea in children. In 2018, G8P[8], an unusual association of genotypes, was detected with moderate frequency in symptomatic children in Argen-tina, unlike a previous sporadic identification in 2016. The aim of this study was to analyze the dissemination pattern of the G8P[8]-lineage IV strains detected in Argentina. Nucleotide sequences of the VP7 gene of Argentine G8P[8] strains (2016, 2018 and 2019) were studied by discrete phylodynamic analyses, together with other worldwide relevant G8-lineage IV strains. Bayes Factor (BF) was used to assess the strength of the epidemiological association between countries. Phylodynamic analyses determined an evolutionary rate of 3.7 × 10-3 (HDP95%: 1.4 × 10-3-8.2 × 10-3) substitutions/site/year. Likewise, the most recent common ancestor was 32.2 years old, dating back to 1986 (HDP95% = 1984-1988). The spatiotemporal dynamics analysis revealed South Korea as being the country of origin of the Argentine strains (posterior probability of the ancestral state: 0.8471), which was also evidenced by a significant rate of diffusion from South Korea to Argentina (BF: 55.1). The detection of G8 in South America in 2016-2017 was not related to the cases detected in 2018-2019, revealing a new G8 introduction to the region and supporting a transpacific dissemination.

RVA in Pet, Sheltered, and Stray Dogs and Cats in Brazil.

Rotaviruses species A (RVA) are etiological agents of diarrhoea and are considered zoonotic viruses; yet the epidemiology of RVA among pet animals is largely unknown. RVA was detected in 38 of 308 faecal samples (12.3%) from pet, sheltered, or stray dogs and cats in 2 municipalities of Rio de Janeiro state, Brazil. The results indicated that these viruses are common in canine and feline populations and underscore the importance of improved monitoring of common pathogens in companion animals, with increased awareness of the potential for interspecies transmission events.

Rotaviruses A and C in dairy cattle in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Stool samples were collected from calves from nine family-based small dairy farms in the state of Rio de Janeiro, for detection and characterization of rotavirus (RV) species A, B, and C (RVA, RVB, and RVC, respectively) by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Twenty-six samples (27.7%) were positive for at least one of the species: 22 (23.4%) samples were positive only for RVA, 3 (3.2%) were positive for RVC, and one sample (1.1%) had co-infection of RVA and RVC. RVB was not detected. Seven (21.9%; n = 32) animals with diarrhea and 19 (30.1% n = 62) asymptomatic animals were positive, with no significant difference in positivity (p = 0.3677). RV was detected in all properties studied, at rates between 14.3 and 80%, demonstrating the widespread circulation of RV in four of the seven geographic regions of the state of Rio de Janeiro. Infection was more prevalent among animals ≤ 6 months of age. Sequence analysis of a portion of the RVA VP6-encoding gene identified the I2 genotype. RVC was also detected; to our knowledge, this is the first description of this agent in cattle in Brazil. The data presented here should add knowledge regarding the importance and prevalence of RV in our national territory, and may facilitate the planning and implementation of control and prevention measures for bovine rotavirus infections in Brazil.

Investigation of avian rotavirus infections in broiler chicks from commercial flocks with different performance efficiency indexes.

The aim of this study was to investigate and compare the frequency of occurrence of avian rotavirus (AvRV) in poultry flocks according to its Performance Efficiency Index (PEI) scores. A total of 256 individual intestinal content samples of small sized-chicks (runts) with clinical signs of Runting Stunting Syndrome (RSS) and 24 clinically healthy chicks (control) were collected from twelve flocks in southern Brazil with different PEI scores: good (n = 4, PEI mean = 365); moderate (n = 4, PEI mean = 342) or poor (n = 4, PEI mean = 319). Silver-stained polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (ss-PAGE) was used to detect and identify the AvRV species followed by RT-PCR and sequencing of the partial VP6 gene for species confirmation. AvRV was detected in 83% (10/12) of the flocks and 23.4% (60/256) of the chicks. The electrophoretic migration patterns of viral dsRNA segments were compatible with AvRV species A (AvRV- A), D (AvRV-D) and F (AvRV-F) in 9 (15%), 18 (30%), and 33 (55%) of the positive chicks fecal samples, respectively. The AvRV species identified by ss-PAGE were confirmed by RT-PCR and partial sequence analysis of the VP6 gene. The AvRV detection rate was statistically higher (p = 0.007) in chicks from flocks with poor PEI when compared to those with good PEI. The occurrence of AvRV-D and AvRV-F was statistically higher in 7 to 9 days old chicks, while AvRV-A was detected only in 13 to 14 days old animals.