MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF VP7, VP4, AND NSP4 GENES OF P[8]G9 ROTAVIRUS STRAINS DETECTED IN SAUDI ARABIA: First characterization of Phylogenetic and Sequencing analysis in the Middle East

Objectives: serotype g9 rotaviruses have emerged as one of the leading causes of gastroenteritis in children worldwide since the mid-1990s, suggesting that g9 is a globally important serotype. methodology: the molecular epidemiology of g9 rotaviruses in two saudi’s cities, maddina and gizan, from 2004 to 2005, was investigated in this study. results: these g9 strains belonged to p[8] lineage 2 (p-like) vp4, genetic group b (wa-like) nsp4, and long electropherotype. the saudi arabian g9 vp7 gene had a 98% nucleotide sequence identity and grouped with the recently circulated g9 strains belonged to the third lineage. conclusion: molecular characterization of vp7, vp4, nsp4 and page suggest that rotavirus g9 could have been introduced to saudi as a novel g9p[8] strain. this study is the first to describe molecular characterization of g9 strains in the middle east.