VP4 and VP7 Genotyping of Group A Rotavirus Isolated from Diarrhea Patients in Seoul by Multiplex PCR

ABSTRACT

The incidence and distribution of the human rotavirus G types (VP7 associated: G1~G4) and P types (VP4 associated: P[4], P[6], P[8], P[10]) were determined from 89 rotavirus strains isolated from diarrhea patients between 2001 and 2002 using reverse transcription and multiplex polymerase chain reaction. G types were identified from 83 (95.5%) and P types were from 82 (92.1%) strains. The predominant genotypes were P[4]G2 (28.1%) and P[6]G4 (27%) with much lower incidence of genotypes P[10]G1 (1.1%) and P[10]G3 (1.1%). P[9] type was not detected. A significant genotypic shift was observed that P[4] was the most prevalent genotype that accounted for 75% during the spring season of 2001, coinfection with P[4] and P[6] for 17.5%. P[6] increased gradually to account for 53% of the strains analysed in the following 2002 spring season. Mixed G types revealing coinfections G2/G3 and G3/G4 were found at low frequency (2.2%).