First isolation and whole-genome characterization of a G9P[14] rotavirus strain from a diarrheic child in Egypt.

An unusual group A rotavirus (RVA) strain (RVA/Human-tc/EGY/AS997/2012/G9[14]) was isolated for the first time in a faecal sample from a 6-month-old child who was hospitalized for treatment of acute gastroenteritis in Egypt in 2012. Whole-genome analysis showed that the strain AS997 had a unique genotype constellation: G9-P[14]-I2-R2-C2-M2-A11-N2-T1-E2-H1. Phylogenetic analysis indicated that the strain AS997 had the consensus P[14] genotype constellation with the G9, T1 and H1 reassortment. This suggests either a mixed gene configuration originated from a human Wa-like strain and a P[14]-containing animal virus, or that this P[14] could have been acquired via reassortment of human strains only. The study shows the possible roles of interspecies transmission and multiple reassortment events leading to the generation of novel rotavirus genotypes and underlines the importance of whole-genome characterization of rotavirus strains in surveillance studies.

Rotavirus G and P types in children with acute diarrhea in Cairo, Egypt, 2011-2012.

BACKGROUND: The WHO estimated the annual rotavirus-related mortality among children below 5 years old in Egypt in 2004 to be 30 deaths per 100 000, or out of an estimated 2616 deaths, 3.9% were because of rotavirus infection. The aim of this article was to study the epidemiology and circulating genotypes of rotaviruses in Cairo from 2011 to 2012. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 197 stool samples were collected from 130 inpatient children at the Cairo University Children Hospital and 67 outpatient children at the Al-Saff Children Clinic. The collected stool samples were then screened for rotavirus using enzyme immunoassay, followed by a screening for G-type and P-type using RT-PCR, and confirmation by sequence analysis. RESULTS: Rotavirus was detected in 39.1% (77/197) of the children, with a higher rate in inpatients (43.9%, 57/130) than in outpatients (29.9%, 20/67). There was an increase of rotavirus infection in the winter season. The majority of rotavirus cases (85.7%) occurred during the first year of life. The predominant genotypes identified during this study were G3P[8] (37.7%) and G1P[8] (19.5%), but uncommon genotypes G1P[6] (3.9%), G9P[6] (1.3%), G8P[14] (1.3%), and G12P[6] (2.6%) were also detected. CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS: The change in genotype distribution, compared with previous studies, along with the high burden of rotavirus-associated diarrhea among Egyptian children below 2 years old, emphasizes the importance of continuing strain surveillance and the need of developing and introducing rotavirus vaccine in Egypt.

Frequency of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes in gut microbiota in obese and normal weight Egyptian children and adults.

INTRODUCTION: Obesity and associated metabolic disorders are a worldwide epidemic. Recent evidence suggests that the microbial community in the human intestine may play an important role in the pathogenesis of obesity. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in the composition of the intestinal microbiota between obese and normal weight Egyptian children and adults. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 79 subjects among whom 51 were obese (23 children and 28 adults), and 28 were subjects of normal weight (17 children and 11 adults). Faecal samples were collected from all subjects. Total DNA was extracted from collected stool samples and submitted to conventional PCR for detection of Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. All the studied group was subjected to clinical and anthropometric evaluation. Laboratory assessment of fasting glucose, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and lipid profile was performed. RESULTS: The proportions of the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes were statistically significantly increased in the obese group compared to the normal weight group (p < 0.001, p = 0.003 respectively). The study also found a statistically significant positive trend for higher hsCRP in subjects with positive Firmicutes (p = 0.004). However, no associations were found between positive Bacteroidetes and hsCRP. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that obesity in Egyptian children and adults is associated with compositional changes in faecal microbiota with increase in the phyla Firmicutes and Bacteroidetes. This could be considered when developing strategies to control obesity and its associated diseases by modifying the gut microbiota.

Comparative Assessment of Mammalian Reoviruses versus Enteroviruses as Indicator for Viral Water Pollution.

UNLABELLED: Enteric viruses are important causative agents of human diseases. Among the enteric viruses, reoviruses and enteroviruses are prevalent in various aquatic environments. This study was carried out to detect and compare the presence of reoviruses and enteroviruses by ICC-PCR in one wastewater and three drinking water treatment plants, studying the possibility of using reoviruses as indicator of viral water pollution and genotyping of the isolated strains. One hundred and forty four drinking water and 76 wastewater samples were collected for two years. Reoviruses and enteroviruses were detected in 12.5% (18/144) and 8.3% (12/144) of total collected drinking water samples. In the studied wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), reoviruses were detected in 26% (20/76) of total collected samples while enteroviruses were detected in 21% (16/76) of the total collected samples. Phylogenic analysis revealed that our sequences were closely related to reovirus type 1, Lang strain and Human poliovirus type1. CONCLUSION: The higher incidence of reoviruses than enteroviruses reflects the possibility of using reoviruses as indicator of water pollution.