Resurgence of rotavirus genotype G12 in St. Louis during the 2014-2015 rotavirus season

Kristine M. Wylie, Katherine M. Stanley, Erin Mc Elvania TeKippe, Kusal Mihindukulasuriya, Gregory A. Storch

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

11 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background. Rotaviruses are a leading cause of gastroenteritis. Rotavirus vaccination has dramatically reduced rotavirus occurrence; however, we have noticed mild to moderate recurrences in the St. Louis area in alternate years. In 2013, we found rotavirus genotype G12 to be the dominant strain in the St. Louis region. In this study, we again determined the distribution of genotypes and ascertained vaccine history in patients infected with rotavirus G12 during the 2014-15 season. Methods. Samples submitted to the St. Louis Children's Hospital Microbiology Laboratory were tested for rotavirus using an antigen assay. We determined the VP7 genotype using amplicon sequence analysis. We determined genome sequences using high-throughput sequencing. We evaluated rotavirus immunization records when available. Results. Of 30 typed viruses from 2014-15, 29 were G12 (97%). Whole-genome sequencing revealed few changes from G12 viruses analyzed in 2012-13. VP4 and VP7 sequences were > 99% identical to previously sequenced G12 strains from St. Louis, and immune epitopes were conserved. Vaccination histories were available from 17 patients. Of these, 4 had been vaccinated, 3 had received incomplete vaccination or had a vaccine history that could not be confirmed, and 10 had not been vaccinated. Conclusions. G12 re-emerged as the predominant rotavirus genotype in 2014-15, comprising a higher percentage of cases than in 2012-13. The majority of patients with G12 and available vaccination histories were unvaccinated. There was no genomic evidence to indicate that the G12 strains in St. Louis had evolved to escape vaccine protection. Our work emphasizes the need for continued surveillance.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)346-351
Number of pages6
JournalJournal of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Society
Volume6
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 2017

Keywords

  • Capture
  • G12
  • Rotavirus
  • Sequencing
  • Surveillance

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