Driving forces of continuing evolution of rotaviruses

Abstract

Rotaviruses are non-enveloped double-stranded RNA virus that causes acute diarrheal diseases in children (< 5 years). More than 90% of the global rotavirus infection in humans was caused by Rotavirus group A. Rotavirus infection has caused more than 200000 deaths annually and predominantly occurs in the low-income countries. Rotavirus evolution is indicated by the strain dynamics or the emergence of the unprecedented strain. The major factors that drive the rotavirus evolution include the genetic shift that is caused by the reassortment mechanism, either in the intra- or the inter-genogroup. However, other factors are also known to have an impact on rotavirus evolution. This review discusses the structure and types, epidemiology, and evolution of rotaviruses. This article also reviews other supplemental factors of rotavirus evolution, such as genetic reassortment, mutation rate, glycan specificity, vaccine introduction, the host immune responses, and antiviral drugs.

Keywords: Rotavirus; Epidemiology; Evolution; Reassortment; Vaccine

Core Tip: Recurrent outbreaks of human pathogenic viruses resulting in epidemics or pandemics are due to their ability to rapidly evolve and adapt as compared to the other microbial pathogens. Rotaviruses are segmented, dsRNA viruses that mainly cause acute gastroenteritis in children (< 5 years). Rotavirus evolution, especially a dynamic replacement of circulating rotavirus A from one strain into another, has been observed globally. In this review, we discuss the driving factors of rotavirus evolution, including vaccines and host-immune responses, towards improving our understanding of the evolutionary dynamics of its emerging strains as a foundation for developing effective preventive and therapeutic measures.