NKOSAZANA Debra SHNAGE

Ms. NKOSAZANA Debra SHNAGE

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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7 August 2025 in Viruses
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
JAJijoho Mischael Michel Agbla
Jijoho Mischael Michel Agbla
MMMilton Tshidiso Mogotsi
Milton Tshidiso Mogotsi
AZAlban G. Zohoun
Alban G. Zohoun
NSNKOSAZANA Debra SHNAGE
NKOSAZANA Debra SHNAGE
ACAnnick Capochichi
Annick Capochichi
Martin NyagaMartin Nyaga
Martin Nyaga
While a global downward trend in rotavirus diarrhea cases has been observed following vaccine introduction, reassortment, genetic drift, and vaccine-escaping strains remain a concern, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa. Here, we provide genomic insights into three equine-like G3P[8] rotavirus strains detected in Benin during the post-vaccine era. Whole-genome sequencing was performed using the Illumina MiSeq platform, and genomic analysis was conducted using bioinformatics tools. The G3 of the study strains clustered within the recently described lineage IX, alongside the human-derived equine-like strain D388. The P[8] is grouped within the lineage III, along with cognate strains from the GenBank database. Both the structural and non-structural gene segments of these study strains exhibited genetic diversity, highlighting the ongoing evolution of circulating strains. Notably, we identified a novel NSP2 lineage, designated NSP2-lineage VI. Amino acid comparisons of the G3 gene showed two conservative substitutions at positions 156 (A156V) and 260 (I260V) and one radical substitution at position 250 (K250E) relative to the prototype equine-like strain D388, the equine strain Erv105, and other non-equine-like strains. In the P[8] gene, three conservative (N195G, N195D, N113D) and one radical (D133N) substitutions were observed when compared with vaccine strains Rotarix and RotaTeq. These findings suggest continuous viral evolution, potentially driven by vaccine pressure. Ongoing genomic surveillance is essential to monitor genotype shifts as part of the efforts to evaluate the impact of emerging strains and to assess vaccine effectiveness in Sub-Saharan Africa.

22 August 2025 in VeriXiv
Verified
Preprint
Open access
NSNKOSAZANA Debra SHNAGE
NKOSAZANA Debra SHNAGE
Milton Tshidiso MogotsiMilton Tshidiso Mogotsi
Milton Tshidiso Mogotsi
AOAyodeji E Ogunbayo
Ayodeji E Ogunbayo
NPNicola Page
Nicola Page
HSHlengiwe Sondlane
Hlengiwe Sondlane
MNMartin M Nyaga
Martin M Nyaga

3 September 2025 in VeriXiv
Verified
Preprint
Open access
KCKennedy Chibesa
Kennedy Chibesa
MSMichelo Simuyandi
Michelo Simuyandi
CLChaluma C Luchen
Chaluma C Luchen
SSSuwilanji Silwamba
Suwilanji Silwamba
MMMilton T Mogotsi
Milton T Mogotsi
MNMartin M Nyaga
Martin M Nyaga