| Resumo: |
Group A rotaviruses are the major cause of gastroenteritis in children throughout the world. Epidemiological surveys and molecular analysis of rotavirus strains are required for gastroenteritis control and prevention. Studies using VP6, an important immunogenic structural protein, and NSP4, a transmembrane nonstructural glycoprotein which is critical to rotavirus morphogenesis and pathogenesis, have been performed. In this study, 330 rotavirus-positive fecal samples previously obtained from children with or without diarrhea, between 1987 and 2003, in three cities of Central West Region of Brazil (Goiânia, Brasília and Campo Grande), were characterized for VP6- and NSP4-encoding genes. The VP6 and NSP4 genes were amplified by reverse transcription- polymerase chain reaction followed by sequencing and phylogenetic analysis. Detection rates of 84.8% and 78.5% were observed for VP6 and NSP4 genes, respectively. Two distinct genotypes could be recognized for NSP4 (A and B). It was observed that the G9P[6] samples were associated with genotype A, whereas the G1P[6], G1P[8], G2P[8], G3P[8], G4P[8] and G9P[8] samples were associated with genotype B. The analysis of VP6 gene allowed genogrouping of samples in two clusters, genogroups I and II. The G2P[4], G3P[4] and G9P[6] samples were identified as genogroup I, whereas the G1P[6], G1P[8], G2P[8], G4P[6], G4P[8] and G9P[8] samples were identified as genogroup II. In addition, it was showed that samples identified as VP6 genogroup I were associated with NSP4 genotype A and samples identified as VP6 genogroup II were associated with NSP4 genotype B. This investigation described different genetic groups representing diversity of group A rotavirus samples circulating in the Central West Region of Brazil. |
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