- Authors: Dimbu R, Esteves A, Fortes F, Istrate C, Nordgren J, Saraiva N, Pereira J, Mendes C
- Journal: Journal of Medical Virology
- Link: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26946356
Angola is a sub-Saharan country in southern Africa highly affected by diarrhoeal disease with limited epidemiological data regarding etiologic agents. This study was performed during 2012-2013, prior to rotavirus vaccine introduction, with the objective to detect and characterize the rotavirus strains circulating in four provinces of the country: Huambo, Luanda, Zaire and Cabinda.
A high rotavirus detection rate (35%, 117/334) was observed. G1 was the most common G-genotype (83.6%), whereas P[8] (50.9%) followed by P[6] (38.8%) were the most common P-types. G1P[8] was identified as the predominant combination (50%), followed by the unusual G1P[6] (29.3%). Strains such G2P[4], G8P[6], G9P[6], and G12P[6] were also found in lower frequencies (5.2-1.7%). The P[6] strains did not cluster in the phylogenetic trees according to their geographic origin or even the corresponding G-genotype, suggesting a limited number of recent introductions and extensive reassortment events.
Our results represent the first report on rotavirus genotype profiles in Angola, showing a wide circulation of the unusual genotype G1P[6], and underline the importance of RV surveillance after the vaccine introduction.