Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela

<i>Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis</i> is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide in young humans and animals. In 2023–2024, a relatively high rotavirus detection rate (34.5%) was detected in children with diarrhea in Caracas. All rotavirus strains were typed as P[8], using...

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Main Authors: Esmeralda Vizzi, Rita E. Rosales, Oscar Piñeros, Rixio Fernández, David Inaty, Karolina López, Laura Peña, Angela De Freitas-Linares, Dianora Navarro, Sandra Neri, Osmary Durán, Ferdinando Liprandi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-03-01
Series:Viruses
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/410
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author Esmeralda Vizzi
Rita E. Rosales
Oscar Piñeros
Rixio Fernández
David Inaty
Karolina López
Laura Peña
Angela De Freitas-Linares
Dianora Navarro
Sandra Neri
Osmary Durán
Ferdinando Liprandi
author_facet Esmeralda Vizzi
Rita E. Rosales
Oscar Piñeros
Rixio Fernández
David Inaty
Karolina López
Laura Peña
Angela De Freitas-Linares
Dianora Navarro
Sandra Neri
Osmary Durán
Ferdinando Liprandi
author_sort Esmeralda Vizzi
collection DOAJ
description <i>Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis</i> is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide in young humans and animals. In 2023–2024, a relatively high rotavirus detection rate (34.5%) was detected in children with diarrhea in Caracas. All rotavirus strains were typed as P[8], using a multiplex RT-PCR assay, while the G-type was not identified. This unusual pattern, not previously observed in Venezuela, prompted the VP7 gene sequencing of nineteen strains, which displayed a high sequence identity (99.3–100%) compatible with the G3 genotype. These strains clustered into a well-supported lineage IX encompassing human reassortants of equine-like G3P[8] strains described elsewhere, showing a very close genetic relationship (99.0–99.9%). Old G3 rotavirus isolates obtained from diarrheic samples in the past were included in the analysis and grouped into lineage I together with ancestral reference G3 strains. The novel G3P[8]s carry amino acid changes in VP7-neutralizing epitopes, compared with the RotaTeq-WI78-8-vaccine strain. Full genome sequencing of a representative strain revealed a genotype constellation including an equine-like G3P[8] in a DS-1-like backbone (I2–R2–C2–M2–A2–N2–T2–E2–H2), confirming the role of animal strains as a source of diversification, and the importance of unceasingly revising molecular typing strategies and vaccine efficacy to guarantee their success.
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spelling doaj-art-6ea7a2daa2cb4c539dd4f32e1872d5972025-08-20T01:49:56ZengMDPI AGViruses1999-49152025-03-0117341010.3390/v17030410Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in VenezuelaEsmeralda Vizzi0Rita E. Rosales1Oscar Piñeros2Rixio Fernández3David Inaty4Karolina López5Laura Peña6Angela De Freitas-Linares7Dianora Navarro8Sandra Neri9Osmary Durán10Ferdinando Liprandi11Laboratorio de Biología de Virus, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020-A, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Biología de Virus, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020-A, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Biología de Virus, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020-A, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Biología de Virus, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020-A, VenezuelaDepartamento de Pediatría, Clínica Las Ciencias, Caracas 1040, VenezuelaUnidad de Gastroenterología y Nutrición, Hospital General “Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño”, Caracas 1020, VenezuelaHospital de Niños “Dr. José Manuel de los Ríos”, Caracas 1050, VenezuelaHospital de Niños “Dr. José Manuel de los Ríos”, Caracas 1050, VenezuelaUnidad de Gastroenterología y Nutrición, Hospital General “Dr. Miguel Pérez Carreño”, Caracas 1020, VenezuelaHospital de Niños “Dr. José Manuel de los Ríos”, Caracas 1050, VenezuelaHospital Militar Universitario “Dr. Carlos Arvelo”, Caracas 1020, VenezuelaLaboratorio de Biología de Virus, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas (IVIC), Caracas 1020-A, Venezuela<i>Rotavirus alphagastroenteritidis</i> is the leading cause of acute gastroenteritis worldwide in young humans and animals. In 2023–2024, a relatively high rotavirus detection rate (34.5%) was detected in children with diarrhea in Caracas. All rotavirus strains were typed as P[8], using a multiplex RT-PCR assay, while the G-type was not identified. This unusual pattern, not previously observed in Venezuela, prompted the VP7 gene sequencing of nineteen strains, which displayed a high sequence identity (99.3–100%) compatible with the G3 genotype. These strains clustered into a well-supported lineage IX encompassing human reassortants of equine-like G3P[8] strains described elsewhere, showing a very close genetic relationship (99.0–99.9%). Old G3 rotavirus isolates obtained from diarrheic samples in the past were included in the analysis and grouped into lineage I together with ancestral reference G3 strains. The novel G3P[8]s carry amino acid changes in VP7-neutralizing epitopes, compared with the RotaTeq-WI78-8-vaccine strain. Full genome sequencing of a representative strain revealed a genotype constellation including an equine-like G3P[8] in a DS-1-like backbone (I2–R2–C2–M2–A2–N2–T2–E2–H2), confirming the role of animal strains as a source of diversification, and the importance of unceasingly revising molecular typing strategies and vaccine efficacy to guarantee their success.https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/410rotavirusviral gastroenteritishuman equine-like G3 strainsG3 lineagesvaccines
spellingShingle Esmeralda Vizzi
Rita E. Rosales
Oscar Piñeros
Rixio Fernández
David Inaty
Karolina López
Laura Peña
Angela De Freitas-Linares
Dianora Navarro
Sandra Neri
Osmary Durán
Ferdinando Liprandi
Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela
Viruses
rotavirus
viral gastroenteritis
human equine-like G3 strains
G3 lineages
vaccines
title Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela
title_full Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela
title_fullStr Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela
title_full_unstemmed Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela
title_short Emergence of Equine-like G3P[8] Rotavirus Strains Infecting Children in Venezuela
title_sort emergence of equine like g3p 8 rotavirus strains infecting children in venezuela
topic rotavirus
viral gastroenteritis
human equine-like G3 strains
G3 lineages
vaccines
url https://www.mdpi.com/1999-4915/17/3/410
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