Molecular Characterization of Rotavirus Strains Circulating in Oman in 2005

Limited genotyping data are available for rotavirus strains in the Middle East. In this study, we investigated the molecular epidemiology of human rotavirus strains circulating in the Sultanate of Oman during 2005. Rotavirus was detected in 178 (57.4%) of 310 of the diarrheal stools of young children <5 years admitted to hospitals and outpatients clinics. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis demonstrated the cocirculation of 8 strains, although 2 strains predominated across the Sultanate. Genotyping revealed the presence of human rotavirus strains of types G1P[8], G2P[4], and G3P[8]. Several strains exhibited unusual combinations of G and P genotypes and RNA electropherotypes, indicating the likelihood of natural reassortment events occurring with a high frequency. In addition, the unusual P[10] genotype was identified among the rotavirus strains, in combination with the G1 type.