Distribution of rotavirus genotypes in the postvaccine introduction era in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region, Ghana, 2014‐2016

Abstract

Group A Rotaviruses (RVAs) are the most important etiological agents of acute gastroenteritis (AGE) in children less than 5 years of age. Mortality resulting from RVA gastroenteritis is higher in developing countries than in developed ones, causing a huge public health burden in global regions like Africa and South‐East Asia. This study reports RVA genotypes detected in Ashaiman, Greater Accra Region, Ghana, in the postvaccine introduction era for the period 2014‐2016. Stool samples were collected from children less than 5 years of age who visited Ashaiman Polyclinic with AGE from November 2014 to May 2015 and from December 2015 to June 2016. The samples were tested by enzyme immunoassay (EIA), and one‐step multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was performed on the EIA positive samples for gel‐based binomial genotyping. Of the 369 stool samples collected from children with AGE, 145 (39%) tested positive by EIA. Five VP7 (G1, G3, G9, G10, and G12) and three VP4 (P[4], P[6] and P[8]) genotypes were detected. Eight G/P combinations were identified of which, G3P[6], G12P[8], G1P[8], and G9P[4] were the most prevalent and responsible for 93 (68%) of the AGE cases, and seven mixed‐types were detected which represented 8% of the RVA cases. High prevalence, diversity, and mixed‐types of RVAs were detected from Ashaiman with the emergence of unusual genotypes.

Genetic Profile of Rotavirus Type A in Children under 5 Years Old in Africa: A Systematic Review of Prevalence

“…As of January 2022, 114 countries (including 79% of those from Africa) have introduced RV vaccination services [4,6]. In fact, a systematic review on the impact of immunization programs in sub-Saharan Africa demonstrated that the inclusion of RV1 and RV5 vaccines led to significant reductions in the proportion of positive cases in these regions from 42% (95% CI [38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46] (pre-vaccination period) to 21% (95% CI 17-25) [7].…”

Genetic Characterizations and Molecular Evolution of VP7 Gene in Human Group A Rotavirus G1

“…Nevertheless, at present, little is known about the molecular evolution of specific RVA genotypes. The two licensed vaccines both include the G1 genotype, and G1 still remains a largely dominant G genotype worldwide [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. It was also reported that G1 was the predominant shedding vaccine-related viral particle in vaccines [ 15 , 16 ], which may have an effect on the evolution of wild-type G1 circulating in populations.…”