ABSTRACT
Background@#Rotaviruses are a major cause of pediatric gastroenteritis. The rotavirus P[6] genotype is the most prevalent genotype isolated from Korean neonates but has rarely been reported in other countries. Histo-blood group antigen (HBGA) is known to play an important role in rotavirus infection. We investigated the relationship between rotavirus genotype and HBGA-Lewis blood type in Korean children and explored the reasons for the predominance of rotavirus P[6] strain in Korean neonates. @*Methods@#Blood and stool samples were collected from 16 rotavirus-infected patients. Rotavirus G (VP7) and P (VP4) genotyping was performed using reverse transcription-PCR and sequencing. Lewis antigen phenotypes (Lea /Leb ) were tested, and HBGA-Lewis genotype was determined by sequencing the secretor (FUT2) and Lewis (FUT3) genes. Deduced amino acid sequences and three-dimensional structures of the VP8* portion of the rotavirus VP4 protein were analyzed. @*Results@#All P[6] rotaviruses were isolated from neonates under one month of age, who were negative or weakly positive for the Leb antigen. However, 10 of the 11 non-P[6] rotaviruses were isolated from older children who were Leb antigen-positive. The VP8* amino acid sequences differed among P[6], P[4], and P[8] genotypes. Korean P[6] strains showed a unique VP8* sequence with amino acid substitutions, including Y169 > L169, which differed from the sequences of P[6] strains from other countries. @*Conclusions@#The predominance of the rotavirus P[6] genotype in Korean neonates may be related to the interaction between HBGA-Lewis antigen and the VP8* portion of the VP4 protein, and this information will be helpful in future neonatal vaccine development.
ABSTRACT
Ankyloblepharon-ectodermal defects-cleft lip and/or palate (AEC) syndrome, also known as Hay-Wells syndrome, is a rare autosomal dominant disorder characterized by congenital ectodermal dysplasia. It is caused by mutations in p63 gene. Six isoforms are generated from the TP63 gene mutation and the main isoform expressed in postnatal skin is Np63a, which functions as a key regulator of epidermal integrity. We have experienced a 1-day-old female baby with skin erosions, ankyloblepharosis, and cleft palate that require treatment for skin care and feeding difficulties. Missense mutation in TP63 1657(th) T → A transition was found in the genetic test performed in the patient, and this genotype has not been reported in a previously variant. The patient was found dead at 91days of birth and the cause of death was estimated by aspiration.