The First Identification of Rotavirus B from Children and Adults with Acute Diarrhoea in Kathmandu, Nepal

Abstract

Rotavirus B (RVB) in the genus Rotavirus of the family Reoviridae is known to be a cause of acute gastroenteritis among children and adults in parts of Asia including China, India, Bangladesh and Myanmar. In a 15-month surveillance programme between March 2007 and May 2008, 3,080 stool specimens were collected from children and adults with acute gastroenteritis in an infectious disease hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal. In 25 (0.8%) specimens RVB was detected, for the first time in Nepal, by the use of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis followed by confirmation with reverse-transcription PCR and sequencing. The strains detected in this study had very similar electropherotypes, and their VP7 sequences were almost identical and phylogenetically belonged to the Indo-Bangladeshi lineage which was distinct from the Chinese lineage. Thus, this study showed the circulation of RVB strains belonging to the Indo-Bangladeshi lineage in a broader region than previously documented, suggesting that this phylogenetic divide corresponded to the geographic divide created by the Himalayan Mountains. Further studies may be warranted to identify and characterize the RVB strains in northern Vietnam which is adjacent to southern China with a long and less mountainous border.

Unbiased whole-genome deep sequencing of human and porcine stool samples reveals circulation of multiple groups of rotaviruses and a putative zoonotic infection

“…This is probably because the majority of rotavirus investigations have been focused on RVA given its clinical and public health relevance and the large genetic distance among these groups of rotaviruses as compared to RVA, which would likely be missed by commonly used diagnostic assays. Recently, there have been increasing numbers of reports on rotavirus groups B, C and H in animals (78–86) and humans (87–89), which possibly reflect improved molecular methods to detect these viruses rather than an actual increase in their prevalence. In Vietnam, the frequencies and relative role in human and animal disease of RVB, RVC and RVH viruses are not yet known.…”

Investigation of a large waterborne acute gastroenteritis outbreak caused by group B rotavirus in Maharashtra state, India

“…The circulation of RVC, in individuals of all age groups has been documented in sporadic and large outbreak cases from different parts of the world . In contrast, RVB infections in sporadic and outbreak cases are mainly restricted to Asian countries namely China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal and largely during gastroenteritis outbreaks in adults . Among non‐rota viral agents, Norovirus , Astrovirus, and Adenovirus infections have been reported to be predominant and known to be responsible for different gastroenteritis outbreaks globally .…”

“…4 In contrast, RVB infections in sporadic and outbreak cases are mainly restricted to Asian countries namely China, India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Nepal and largely during gastroenteritis outbreaks in adults. [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13] Among non-rota viral agents, Norovirus, Astrovirus, and Adenovirus infections have been reported to be predominant and known to be responsible for different gastroenteritis outbreaks globally. [14][15][16] The transmission of these viruses could be water-borne, food-borne, person-to-person, and a variety of less clearly identifiable modes.…”

Group B rotavirus encodes a functional fusion-associated small transmembrane (FAST) protein

“…While RVB disease symptoms resemble those of RVA gastroenteritis, RVB causes disease primarily in adults rather than pediatric populations (22). Studies suggest there is low-level RVB seroprevalence in humans (23–25). RVB outbreaks in humans are not thought to be caused by viruses directly transmitted from animals; rather, phylogenetic analysis of RVB sequences suggests viruses affecting humans and other animals are distinct (26).…”