Unusual G9P[4] rotavirus emerged after the dynamic changes in
rotavirus genotypes from equine-like G3 to typical human G1/G3 in
Indonesia
Abstract
Background: Inter-genogroup reassortment of Rotavirus A (RVA)
strains has highlighted the spread of unusual RVA strains worldwide. We
previously reported the equine-like G3 RVA as predominant strains in
Indonesia in 2015-2016. However, since July 2017, typical human
genotypes G1 and G3 have replaced these strains completely. To
understand how dynamic changes in RVA occur in Indonesia, we performed a
detailed epidemiological study. Main body: A total of 356 stool
specimens were collected from hospitalized children in Sidoarjo,
Indonesia between 2018 and 2022. Whole-genome sequencing was performed
for all 26 RVA-positive samples using next-generation sequencing.
Twenty-four samples were determined to be the unusual RVA G9P[4],
while 2 were G9P[6]. Detailed analysis revealed that seven
G9P[4] strains had the typical DS-1-like backbone, while the other
strains exhibited a double-reassortant profile (G9-N1) on the DS-1-like
backbone. The Bayesian evolutionary analyses suggested that the
Indonesian G9P[4] strains share a common ancestor with previously
reported G9P[4] strains in the VP7 and VP4 genes.
Conclusions: G9P[4] DS-1-like strains were identified as
the predominant genotype in Indonesia in 2021 for the first time. These
results suggest that the G9P[4] strains were generated from the
previous G9P[4] strains that had undergone further
intra-reassortments with the other circulating strains.