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 RT‐PCR 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%). Genotyping 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. J. Med. Virol. 70: 324–328, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.