Identification of lineage III of G12 rotavirus strains in diarrheic children in the Northern Region of Brazil between 2008 and 2010

Abstract

This study reports on the surveillance forrotavirus genotypes and the identification of G12 human rotavirus in the Northern Region of Brazil. Rotavirus positive samples were collected from children years of age with acute diarrhea from January 2008 to October2010. G2P[4] was the most prevalent genotype, accounting for 45.6 per cent (126/303) of cases. Five rotavirus strains bearing G12P[6] genotype specificity were detected. Phylogeneticanalysis of the VP7 gene showed that G12 strains clustered into lineage III. This is the first detection of G12 strainsfrom lineage III in Latin America, broadening the current evidence for the worldwide emergence of this genotype.