Abstract:

Objective To understand the VP4 gene sequence and genetic variation characteristics of type P rotavirus in Xiamen，as well as its differences from those of other regions at home and abroad. Methods From January to December 2021，100 fecal samples from children <10 years old with positive rotavirus determination result at the Children's Hospital of Xiamen were collected. Nucleic acid polymerase chain reaction（PCR） was used for the genotyping of rotavirus G genotype and P genotype. The full-length VP4 gene sequence of rotavirus A was determined by first-generation sequencing technology. The sequences were analyzed and compared using biological softwares such as DNA Star and MEGA. Results The main prevalent strain of G gene in the 100 diarrhea samples was G9 type（88 strains），the main prevalent strain of P genotype was P[8] type（87 strains），and the main prevalent combination of G/P gene was G9P[8] type（80 strains）. The evolutionary tree analysis showed that the local strains in Xiamen（Amoy） had different degrees of differences in the evolutionary tree compared with other local strains at home and abroad. The amino acid comparison analysis showed that the amino acid primary structure of the local strain in Xiamen（Amoy） had different degrees of variations compared with different local strains at home and abroad. Conclusions The full-length VP4 gene of rotavirus A can show that the strain has the ability to adapt and mutate rapidly in China. It is recommended to continuously monitor the genetic variation of rotavirus.

Key words: Rotavirus A, VP4, Gene sequence, Genetic variation