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Rotavirus VP7, and VP4 Types circulating in Plateau State Nigeria


L Nimzing
I Peenze
MC Debeer
A Geyer
NE Gomwalk
AD Steele

Abstract

Objective: To determine the rotavirus genotypes circulating in Plateau State using RT – PCR.

Materials and Methods: Thirty one rotavirus isolates recovered from diarrhoeic stools in 1998 and 1999 were analyzed using nested multiplex RT – PCR technique for the determination of VP7 and VP4 genotypes

Results: VP7 typing revealed the presence of the global epidemiologically important VP7 strains G1-G3 except genotype G4. ‘Mosaic' rotaviruses G1/3 were also found. The VP4 types identified were P (6), P(8) and P(4). Mixed genotypes of P(4)/P(6) were also detected. The predominant strains circulating during 1988 and 1999 were P(6) G1, P(6) G3, P(8)G1 and P(8)G3. Some strains could not be typed by the primers used.

Conclusion: The application of molecular techniques of PCR to detect and characterize rotavirus strains circulating, contributes to the knowledge and burden of rotavirus strain diversity even though some strains could not be typed. This provides fundamental data necessary for rotavirus vaccine design and implementation in Africa.

Key words: Rotavirus, genotypes, circulating in Plateau State, Nigeria.

Highland Medical Research Journal Vol.1(4) 2003: 62-66

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eISSN: 1596-2407