Distribution of human group A rotavirus VP7 and VP4 types circulating in Seoul, Korea between 1998 and 2000

Three hundred forty-eight fecal specimens collected from young children with acute diarrhea in Seoul, Korea between January 1998 and February 2000 were examined for G and P types. Of these, 205 samples (59%) were confirmed as group A rotavirus by ELISA for the detection of VP6 antigen. Confirmed rotavirus isolates were characterized using G serotyping ELISA and RTPCR methodologies for G and P genotyping of the outer capsid proteins VP7 and VP4, respectively. Serotyping of the outer capsid protein, VP7, revealed G4 as the dominant circulating serotype (41%) followed by G1 (28%) and quite a high incidence of mixed infection (14%). Geno-typing of the VP4 protein was carried out on 55 of the rotavirus isolates with the dominant type being P[8] (46%). Of interest were a number of unusual G and P type combinations detected in Korea for the first time, especially the P[4] genotype associated with non-G2 serotypes. There were also a number of P[6] isolates identified including one G2P[6] isolate.