Detection and characterisation of rotaviruses from children less than 5 years hospitalised with acute gastroenteritis in Nagercoil

Clinicoepidemiological Profile and Genetic Characterization of Circulating Rotavirus Strain among Children < 5 Years Hospitalized for Acute Gastroenteritis in Western Rajasthan, India

OBJECTIVE

To determine the clinical and epidemiological profile and circulating strains of rotavirus among children less than 5 y of age hospitalized for diarrhea in a tertiary care center of western Rajasthan.

METHOD

Children < 5 y of age admitted for acute gastroenteritis were recruited in this hospital-based surveillance study. Detailed clinical history and sociodemographic information was collected for all enrolled children. Severity of the gastroenteritis was assessed using the 20-point Vesikari Clinical Severity Scoring System. Rotavirus positivity was tested in the stool samples collected from children by commercially available techniques and further molecular characterization done as per defined protocol.

RESULTS

Out of 1055 enrolled children, overall positivity rate of typable rotavirus was 18.95% (169/892). Among children who were less than 24 mo of age, positivity due to rotavirus diarrhea was maximum (24.4%). Distinct seasonality was observed as maximum cases of rotavirus diarrhea were detected in the months of December to February. Commonest G type was G3 (54%) followed by G1 (19%) while predominant P type was P[8] (77%) followed by P[4] (11%). G3P[8] (51.83%) was the commonest genotype observed in the study region.

CONCLUSION

The current study found positivity of rotavirus to be 18.95% among children aged 0-59 mo admitted due to acute gastroenteritis is a tertiary care setting in northern part of India. Emergence of newer predominant strains emphasizes the need of continued surveillance to determine the changing trends.

Epidemiology and Genotype Distribution of Rotavirus Gastroenteritis in Under-Five Children of South Rajasthan, India

OBJECTIVE

To determine the epidemiology of rotavirus diarrhea and its genotypes distribution among under five children from Udaipur, Rajasthan.

METHODS

Hospital-based prospective study among children aged 0-59 mo of age hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis and assess the clinical and epidemiological profile. Stool samples collected during 2017-2019 from 734 children, were tested by enzyme immune assay (EIA) to identify rotavirus and the samples that were positive were subjected to genotyping using published methods.

RESULTS

Rotavirus was detected in 12.94% (95/734) of the stool samples. Maximum positivity (38.9%) was seen in children aged 12-23 mo followed by 34.7% in 6-11 mo of age. Detection rates were higher (46.31%, 44/95) during winter months of December-February; 65% children with rotavirus diarrhea had severe dehydration followed by moderate dehydration in 32% of cases. G3P[8] (40, 43.01%) was the commonest genotype followed by G9P[4] (10, 10.75%).

CONCLUSION

Among under-five children hospitalized due to acute gastroenteritis in a tertiary care setting in Udaipur, Rajasthan, 12.9% of children were rotavirus positive with predominant (43.01%) circulation of G3P[8] strains.

Prevalence and characterization of rotaviruses in children hospitalized for diarrheal disease in a tertiary care hospital, Pune

BACKGROUND

Diarrhoea remains the second most common cause of death among children below 5 years globally. Among various enteric pathogens, rotavirus appears to be the most important aetiological agent of acute gastroenteritis in infants and young children. Increased understanding of epidemiology of rotavirus infections is needed to improve the vaccine efficacy.

AIM

This study aims to determine prevalence rotavirus infection and prevalent circulating strains of rotavirus in and around Pune.

SETTING AND DESIGN

Prospective hospital-based study. The study was approved by Institutional Ethical Committee.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Stool samples (n = 100) were collected from children aged <5 years, hospitalised for acute diarrhoea in paediatric ward at a tertiary care hospital. Samples were subjected for rotavirus antigen capture ELISA. The viral RNA was subjected to multiplex reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction to amplify VP7 genotypes G1-G4, G8-G10 and G12 and VP4 genotypes P[4], P[6], P[8], P[9], P[10] and P[11]. Nontypable rotavirus strains were sequenced.

RESULTS

About 35% stool samples were positive for rotavirus antigen by ELISA. G9P[4] (28.6%) was found to be the most prevalent rotavirus strain. The detection of emerging strain G12P[6] (14.3%) and rare reassortant strain G9P[4] was the significant finding.

CONCLUSION

Genotypes found in circulation are not present in the currently used vaccine. Thus, an emergence of newer genotypes over a period calls for the continued surveillance and genomic characterisation of rotaviruses to improve the vaccine efficacy.