Characterization of rotavirus strains in a Danish population: high frequency of mixed infections and diversity within the VP4 gene of P[8] strains.

ABSTRACT: We characterized the G and P types from 162 rotavirus-positive stool specimens collected from 162 persons in Denmark (134 children and 28 adults) with acute diarrhea in 1998, 2000, and 2002. Samples were obtained during outpatient consultations (73%) and from hospitalized patients (27%). Although more than 20 different G-P combinations were identified, only 52% represented the globally most common types G1P[8], G2P[4], and G4P[8]. The G9 genotype, which is emerging worldwide, was identified in 12% of all samples. Twenty-one percent of the samples were of mixed genotypic origin, which is the highest frequency reported in any European population. The standard reverse transcription-PCR methods initially failed to identify a considerable fraction of the rotavirus P strains due to mutations at

SUBMITTER: Fischer TK 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1081278 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature