Serotype 1 reassortant of bovine rotavirus WC3, strain WI79-9, induces a polytypic antibody response in infants.

A reassortant rotavirus, strain W179-9, was constructed bearing gene 9 of serotype 1 rotavirus strain WI79 and all other genes derived from bovine (serotype 6) rotavirus strain WC3. The antigenic phenotype of WI79-9 is bivalent: serotype 1 and serotype 6. WI79-9 administered orally at a dose of 10(7.5) p.f.u. induced no adverse effects in 48 infants of age 2-11 months. Serotype 1- and serotype 6-specific serum neutralizing antibody titres were induced with approximately equal frequency in these infants. Serotype 1-specific antibody responses were inhibited in infants previously seropositive to type 1. The immune response rate was enhanced by administration of a second, 'booster dose'.