Genetic Susceptibility to Rotavirus Gastroenteritis and Vaccine Effectiveness in Taiwanese Children

Sci Rep. 2017 Jul 25;7(1):6412. doi: 10.1038/s41598-017-06686-y.

Abstract

The genetic susceptibility to and vaccine effectiveness against rotavirus gastroenteritis were different in distinct ethnic groups. The case-control study was aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of rotavirus vaccines and associations between the histo-blood group antigens and susceptibility to rotavirus infections in a Taiwanese population. Cases were children <18 years old who were hospitalized because of laboratory-confirmed rotavirus infection. Controls were healthy children matched to cases by age and gender. The secretor status and Lewis antigen and ABO types were determined by molecular methods. A total of 68 cases and 133 controls were included. Rotavirus immunization was recorded in 8 (12%) cases and 77 (58%) controls, indicating a vaccine effectiveness of 90.3% (95% confidence interval [CI], 78.1% - 95.7%). The secretor and Lewis-positive genotypes were independently associated with increased risk of rotavirus infections (matched odds ratio [mOR] 28.5, 95% CI 2.94-277, P = 0.003 and mOR 16.8, 95% CI 1.08-2601, P = 0.04, respectively). The distribution of ABO blood types did not differ significantly between cases and controls (P = 0.47). In conclusion, Taiwanese children with the secretor genotype and Lewis-positive genotype were at increased risk of moderate-to-severe rotavirus infections. The illness can be effectively prevented by immunization in this population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • ABO Blood-Group System / genetics
  • Asian People / genetics
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • Fucosyltransferases / genetics
  • Galactoside 2-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase
  • Gastroenteritis / genetics
  • Gastroenteritis / prevention & control
  • Gastroenteritis / virology*
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male
  • Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide
  • Rotavirus Infections / genetics*
  • Rotavirus Infections / prevention & control
  • Rotavirus Vaccines / therapeutic use*
  • Taiwan

Substances

  • ABO Blood-Group System
  • Rotavirus Vaccines
  • Fucosyltransferases
  • 3-galactosyl-N-acetylglucosaminide 4-alpha-L-fucosyltransferase