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PubMed2005

Incidence of diarrhea caused by rotavirus infections in rural Zhengding, China: prospective, population-based surveillance.

Rotavirus is the pathogen most commonly associated with severe gastroenteritis in young children in the People's Republic of China, yet there are few population-based data on the incidence of rotavirus infection. The present study investigated the burden of rotavirus diarrhea and rotavirus infections in rural China, according to age. Population-based surveillance was used to study the incidence of rotavirus infection among children <5 years of age in 4 townships of Zhengding County, Hebei Province, China. The total population in the catchment area in 2002 was 75,630 individuals, including 2997 children aged <5 years. Stool samples were obtained and were tested for rotavirus antigen by use of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. During 2002, a total of 2010 cases of diarrhea were detected among children <5 years of age. The incidence of treated cases of diarrhea was 671 cases/1000 children/year for children <5 years of age, and it was highest for children <12 months of age (1467 cases/1000 children/year). The estimated incidence of rotavirus infection was 151 cases/1000 children/year for children <5 years of age. The highest incidence of rotavirus infection was among children aged 1-2 years (340 cases/1000 children/year). Widespread immunization of children against rotavirus before 6 months of age should be considered for the control of rotavirus diarrhea.

Child, Preschool↗
PubMed2006

Hospitalizations associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis in the United States, 1993-2002.

BACKGROUND: In the United States, rotavirus gastroenteritis remains a common disease of children that results in many hospitalizations, clinic visits and medical costs. It is a common cause of morbidity and is associated with a high economic burden in developing countries. Prevention of hospitalizations is the primary target of rotavirus vaccines. METHODS: To update estimates of rotavirus hospitalization rates in the United States, we conducted a retrospective analysis of 10 years of national hospitalization data associated with gastroenteritis and used both direct and indirect methods to estimate the percentage of cases associated with rotavirus gastroenteritis. RESULTS: During 1993-2002, an average of 18% of all hospitalizations with gastroenteritis among children <5 years old were associated with rotavirus infection as determined by the rotavirus-specific International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, Clinical Modification code. The annual proportion of rotavirus-associated hospitalizations increased from 15% in 1993-1995 to 21% in 2000-2002. Hospitalizations associated with rotavirus and those associated with nonspecific gastroenteritis had a marked winter-time seasonality and similar age distribution, which peaked among children between 3 and 24 months old. Using indirect estimation methods, 58,000 to 70,000 rotavirus-associated hospitalizations were estimated to occur each year in the United States. CONCLUSIONS: Rotavirus gastroenteritis remains an important cause of hospitalizations in the United States, and the rate has not declined from 1993 through 2002.

Age Distribution↗
PubMed2006

Anti-rotavirus antibodies in human milk: quantification and neutralizing activity.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze anti-rotavirus antibodies in human milk in order to determine their isotypes and neutralizing activity on rotavirus strains representing different viral serotypes. METHODS: One hundred seventy-three milk samples (65 colostrum, 55 transitional milk and 53 mature milk) obtained from 65 mothers were analyzed along with 49 serum samples collected just before delivery. Total immunoglobulin A (IgA) and rotavirus-specific IgA and immunoglobulins G (IgG) antibodies were determined in milk and serum by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Neutralizing activity was evaluated by an immunoperoxidase focus reduction assay. Milk IgA was purified by binding to the lectin jacalin, elution and ultrafiltration. RESULTS: Total IgA antibodies were detected in all serum and milk samples analyzed. IgA levels decreased sharply during the replacement of colostrum by transitional milk, and more gradually from transitional to mature milk. These differences in IgA concentration during the 3 periods were statistically significant. Anti-rotavirus antibodies detected in human milk were exclusively of the IgA type, whereas both IgA and IgG anti-rotavirus antibodies were present in serum samples. Both milk and serum samples showed in vitro neutralization of the infectivity of rotavirus strains SA11, Wa and VA70, this activity being stronger toward the human rotavirus strain Wa. No correlation was however found between the inhibitory effect on rotavirus and the concentrations of IgA in human milk and serum samples. CONCLUSION: Anti-rotavirus antibodies are only partly responsible for the neutralizing activity detected in milk and serum. This result suggests that other components possessing suppressive activity against rotavirus must also be present.

Adult↗
PubMed1990

Rotavirus induces proliferative response and augments non-specific cytotoxic activity of lymphocytes in humans.

In vitro cell-mediated immune responses to rotavirus in humans were studied. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) of healthy adults proliferated in response to stimulation with the infectious and u.v.-inactivated Wa strain of human rotavirus, showing a maximum response on day 7 of culture; however, cord blood lymphocytes failed to respond to rotavirus. A cross-reactive proliferative response of PBMC detected by stimulation with the NCDV strain of bovine rotavirus suggests the existence of epitopes common to both human and bovine rotaviruses, which are recognized by human T lymphocytes. The phenotype of the majority of activated lymphocytes was CD3+4+8-, indicating that the cells mainly activated were helper T cells. Culture supernatants of PBMC stimulated with rotavirus contained interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma). In addition, PBMC stimulated with rotavirus demonstrated significantly enhanced cytotoxic activity against natural killer (NK) sensitive K562 cells as well as an NK-resistant Epstein-Barr virus-immortalized lymphoblastoid cell line (LCL). Treatment of PBMC with anti-CD16 or NKH1A monoclonal antibody, both of which react with most NK cells and lymphokine-activated killer cells and complement markedly reduced the cytotoxic activity against K562 and LCL. These results suggest that stimulation of human PBMC with rotavirus results in the production of lymphokines, such as IL-2 and IFN-gamma, by rotavirus-reactive helper T cells and that these lymphokines augment NK activity and generate other forms of non-specific cytotoxic human lymphocyte activity. These cell-mediated immune responses observed in the present in vitro study might play an important role in protection and recovery from rotavirus infection.

Cells, Cultured↗
PubMed1985

Nosocomial acute gastroenteritis in a paediatric department, with special reference to rotavirus infections.

Nosocomial acute gastroenteritis caused by rotavirus as well as by non-rotavirus gastroenteritis was registered during a 12-month period in the paediatric department of a district hospital. The number of patients in the two groups amounted to 27% (rotavirus) and 7% (non-rotavirus) of the total number of patients hospitalised with the corresponding type of acute gastroenteritis. The seasonal and age distributions for the two types of nosocomial acute gastroenteritis followed the pattern of the respective types of hospitalised community-acquired acute gastroenteritis. Nosocomial non-rotavirus gastroenteritis was found to occur scattered with regard to time and locality within the department. The same applied to one half of the cases with nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis, whereas the other half occurred during an epidemic outbreak in the general infant/toddler ward. Vomiting and diarrhoea were less significant in nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis as compared with community-acquired rotavirus gastroenteritis. As to the other manifestations no difference was found between the two groups. Nosocomial rotavirus gastroenteritis prolonged the stay in hospital with on the average 3.8 days. Guidelines are suggested for isolation of patients with acute gastroenteritis in order to reduce particularly the frequency of nosocomial rotavirus infections.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1992

[Serotypes and electropherotypes of group A human rotaviruses in patients with acute gastroenteritis in Saitama area, 1988-1991].

Serotypes and RNA electropherotypes of group A human rotaviruses were identified in stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis in Kasukabe Kosei Hospital, Saitama, Japan, during three rotavirus seasons from 1988 to 1991. Of the 665 stool samples from patients with acute gastroenteritis, 169 (25.4%) stool samples were positive for group A human rotaviruses. Of these 169 samples, 98 (58.0%) were serotype 1, 7 (4.1%) serotype 2, 14 (8.3%) serotype 3, 3 (1.8%) serotype 4 and 47 (27.8%) were untypable. Serotype 1 was predominant over all three rotavirus seasons. Serotype 2 was most prevalent in the second rotavirus season, serotype 3 in the third season. Serotype 4 was detected only the second rotavirus season. The ratio of subtype I to subtype II was 4.5:95.5. Among the 162 strains examined, 139 specimens were available to be electropherotyped. Fifteen different RNA electropherotypes were detected. Three to four different electropherotypes were more prevalent in each rotavirus season and the detection rate in each year was different within the same electropherotypes. The rotavirus strains of the same electropherotypes were observed with high prevalence for every rotavirus seasons. The same electropherotypes was found in human rotavirus strains of different serotypes that were appeared at different epidemic seasons.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Development of a method for detection of human rotavirus in water and sewage.

The simian rotavirus SA11 was used to develop a simple, reliable, and efficient method to concentrate rotavirus from tap water, treated sewage, and raw sewage by absorption to and elution from Filterite fiberglass-epoxy filters. SA11 adsorbed optimally to Filterite filters from water containing 0.5 mM AlCl3 at pH 3.5. Filter-bound virus was eluted with 0.05 M glycine-NaOH supplemented with 10% tryptose phosphate broth at pH 10. SA11 was quantitated by plaque assay, whereas human rotavirus was detected by immunofluorescence. The method was applied to detect rotavirus in raw and treated sewage at two Houston, Tex., sewage treatment plants. The sewage isolates were identified as rotavirus, probably a human strain, based on several criteria. The sewage isolates were detectable by an immunofluorescence test, using anti-SA11 serum which would detect the simian, human bovine, and porcine rotaviruses. No reaction was noted by immunofluorescence with the reoviruses or several common enteroviruses. The sewage isolates were neutralized by convalescent sera from a human adult and infant who had been infected by rotavirus as well as by a hyperimmune serum prepared in guinea pigs against purified human rotavirus. Preimmune or preillness sera did not react with the isolates by neutralization or immunofluorescence. The natural isolates were sensitive to pH 11 and other inactivating agents, similar to SA11. The buoyant density of the sewage isolates in CsCl gradients was 1.36 g/cm3, which is the value usually reported for complete, infectious rotavirus particles. The double-shelled particle diameter was 67.1 +/- 2.4 nm. Finally, electron micrographs of cell lysates inoculated with the sewage isolate showed particles displaying characteristic rotavirus morphology.

Absorption↗
PubMed1980

Rotavirus-like, calicivirus-like, and 23-nm virus-like particles associated with diarrhea in young pigs.

Virus particles morphologically similar to caliciviruses and rotaviruses were detected by electron microscopy (EM) in the intestinal contents of a 27-day-old diarrheic nursing pig. A third small spherical 23-nm virus-like particle was also observed. Calicivirus-like particles averaged 33 nm in diameter. Similar to rotaviruses, rotavirus-like particles were present as single-capsid 55-nm forms or double-capsid 70-nm particles. Most gnotobiotic pigs orally exposed to samples containing these three viruses developed diarrhea and villous atrophy of the small intestine, and all shed the three viruses in their intestinal contents. Attempts to propagate these viruses in cell culture were unsuccessful. The antigenic relationship of the rotavirus-like particles to known rotaviruses was explored by immune EM and immunofluorescent staining. By these techniques, the rotavirus-like particles did not cross-react with antisera to porcine, bovine, or human rotaviruses or to reovirus type 3. Antisera from gnotobiotic pigs exposed to all three viruses had enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and virus neutralization titers of <4 against porcine rotavirus. Previous infection of gnotobiotic pigs with the mixture containing rotavirus-like particles failed to protect them against a subsequent challenge with porcine rotavirus. The antigenic relationship of the calicivirus-like particles to known caliciviruses was investigated by immune EM and virus neutralization. By these tests, the calicivirus-like particles did not react with antisera against feline calicivirus strain 255 or M-8. In a study conducted at Plum Island Animal Disease Center, antiserum against the three combined agents did not specifically neutralize any serotype of swine vesicular exanthema virus.

Animals↗
PubMed1981

Comparison of direct electron microscopy, immune electron microscopy, and rotavirus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of gastroenteritis viruses in children.

An approximate 10% suspension in water of the first available stool sample from 411 infants and young children with acute gastroenteritis was examined by electron microscopy (EM) after 2 min of negative staining. This procedure enabled the detection of 88% of the 199 rotavirus infections, all of the 22 adenovirus infections, and 47% of the 15 approximately 27-nm virus infections ultimately detected by a combination of techniques, including immune electron microscopy (IEM) and rotavirus enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Of the 204 infections detected by direct EM of stools, 76% were detected within 2 min of viewing, and 94% were detected within 6 min of viewing. Type 1 and type 2 rotavirus particles were visualized with approximately equal efficiency, although type 2 rotavirus infections were more common. Rectal swab preparations were clearly inferior to stool preparations for the detection of virus infection by direct EM. IEM examination was required for efficient visualization of viruses in rectal swab specimens. ELISA was the most sensitive method for the detection of rotaviruses; with this method, all infections in which rotavirus particles were visualized by EM or IEM were detected. However, 73% of the 1,834 specimens which were presumptively positive for rotavirus by conventional indirect ELISA proved to be falsely positive on the basis of EM, IEM, blocking ELISA, confirmatory ELISA, or a combination of these methods. False-positive rotavirus ELISA reactions apparently were eliminated when fecal specimens were tested in a modified confirmatory ELISA with a lower dilution of rotavirus-negative (pre-immunization) than rotavirus-positive (post-immunization) capture antibody from the same animal.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1987

Analysis by plaque reduction neutralization assay of intertypic rotaviruses suggests that gene reassortment occurs in vivo.

The SB-1A rotavirus recovered from a diarrheic piglet in the United States is a naturally occurring intertypic rotavirus. When studied by reciprocal neutralization tests, the SB-1A virus was similar, if not identical, to the porcine Gottfried virus (serotype 4) and the porcine OSU virus (serotype 5). Analysis of reassortant viruses prepared from the SB-1A virus and the serotype 2 human DS-1 virus revealed that the antigenic specificity of the outer capsid protein VP3 of SB-1A was shared with the OSU virus, while the antigenic specificity of another outer capsid protein, VP7, of SB-1A appeared to be shared with the Gottfried virus. This suggests that SB-1A is a naturally occurring reassortant rotavirus between OSU-like and Gottfried-like porcine rotaviruses. In addition, using a genetic approach, we found evidence that the fourth gene was responsible for the predominantly one-way cross-neutralizing reactivity between canine rotavirus strain CU-1 (serotype 3) and porcine rotavirus strains SB-1A (serotypes 4 and 5) and OSU (serotype 5). Assignment of hemagglutination function to the fourth genome segment of porcine rotaviruses SB-1A and OSU and canine rotavirus CU-1 confirmed a similar previous gene assignment established for certain rotaviruses. Analysis of single gene 4 substitution reassortants confirmed our previous finding that VP3 was as potent in stimulating neutralizing antibodies as VP7. The observations confirm the need for a binary system of rotavirus classification and nomenclature similar to that used for the influenza A viruses; in such a system the neutralization specificity of both VP3 and VP7 would be indicated.

Animals↗
PubMed1988

Comparative sensitivities of solid-phase immune electron microscopy and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for serotyping of human rotavirus strains with neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

Suspensions of 24 rotavirus strains, 6 for each known human rotavirus serotype, were serially diluted and titrated by (i) enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for rotavirus detection, using monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) specific for group-specific sites of the VP6 inner capsid protein; (ii) ELISA for subgrouping, using MAbs reactive with subgroup-specific determinants of rotavirus VP6; (iii) ELISA for serotyping, using MAbs directed to serotype-specific sites of the VP7 outer capsid glycoprotein; and (iv) solid-phase immune electron microscopy (SPIEM) for serotyping, using VP7-specific MAbs. In addition, in each preparation the proportion of double-shelled rotavirus particles were determined by direct electron microscopy. Results showed that SPIEM was 2- to 16-fold more sensitive than ELISA for serotyping of rotavirus. The titers in VP7-specific tests correlated well with the proportion of double-shelled virus particles in each of the samples. Titers obtained by ELISA for serotyping of suspensions containing 20% or fewer complete particles were up to 4,096-fold lower than those obtained by ELISA for detection. ELISA serotyping titers of samples containing 20 to 80% double-shelled rotavirus particles were up to 128-fold lower than ELISA detection titers, whereas preparations with nearly 100% complete particles had ELISA titers that were less different from each other. ELISA subgrouping titers were four- to eightfold lower than corresponding rotavirus detection titers. It was concluded that, although SPIEM appears to be more sensitive than ELISA, the amount of complete virus particles in the specimens is of critical importance for successful serotyping of human rotavirus strains. Samples rich in single-shelled particles but containing low amounts of VP7 outer capsid glycoprotein might even be strongly reactive in assays for rotavirus detection and subgrouping but virtually unreactive in tests for serotyping.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗
PubMed1989

Monoclonal antibody assay for detection of double-stranded RNA and application for detection of group A and non-group A rotaviruses.

Fastidious viruses are generally detected in human body fluids by means of immunoassay or nucleic acid hybridization systems. These approaches can be difficult to apply to the detection of viruses which display variations in antigenic or genetic composition. Rotaviruses are examples of viruses which can display such variations. Recently identified antigenic variants, designated as non-group A rotaviruses, cannot be detected by immunoassays or nucleic acid hybridization assays which utilize reagents directed at group A rotavirus strains. The incomplete understanding of the extent of antigenic and genetic variation has inhibited the development of assay systems for all of the non-group A rotaviruses and has limited the study of their role in human disease. While rotaviruses display genetic variation, they all contain a genome which consists of double-stranded RNA. We utilized a monoclonal antibody to devise a sensitive assay for the measurement of double-stranded RNA and applied it to the detection of a wide range of rotaviruses. We found that the assay could detect double-stranded RNA from as few as 10 PFU of standard strains of group A rotaviruses. The assay system was also capable of detecting double-stranded RNA from several strains of group B rotaviruses isolated from calves, rats, and pigs at levels below those at which viral RNA could be visualized by means of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. When applied to the detection of double-stranded RNA in serial stools shed by rotavirus-infected children, the assay system was capable of detecting double-stranded RNA in samples in which antigen could not be detected by immunoassay. The specific nature of the double-stranded RNA detected by this assay system could be determined by the elution of the nucleic acids from the monoclonal antibody and the reaction of the RNA with specific nucleotide probes. The measurement of double-stranded RNA offers a potential method for the sensitive detection of a wide range of rotaviruses and other members of the family Reoviridae.

Animals↗
PubMed1992

Characterization of full-length and polymerase chain reaction-derived partial-length Gottfried and OSU gene 4 probes for serotypic differentiation of porcine rotaviruses.

To determine the VP4 (P type) specificity of porcine rotaviruses, full- and partial-length gene 4 probes were produced from cloned Gottfried and OSU porcine rotavirus genomic segment 4 cDNAs. The gene 4 segments from the prototype Gottfried (VP7 serotype 4) and OSU (VP7 serotype 5) porcine rotavirus strains were selected for study because of their distinct P types and the occurrence of rotaviruses with similar serotypes among swine. Partial-length gene 4 cDNAs were produced and amplified by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and encompassed portions of the variable region (nucleotides 211 to 612) of VP8 encoded by genomic segment 4. The hybridization stringency conditions necessary for optimal probe specificity and sensitivity were determined by dot or Northern (RNA) blot hybridizations against a diverse group of human and animal rotaviruses of heterologous group A serotypes and against representative group B and C porcine rotaviruses. The PCR-derived gene 4 probes were more specific than the full-length gene 4 probes but demonstrated equivalent sensitivity. The Gottfried PCR-derived probe hybridized with Gottfried, SB2, SB3, and SB5 G serotype 4 porcine rotaviruses. The OSU PCR-derived probe hybridized with OSU, EE, A580, and SB-1A porcine rotaviruses and equine H1 rotavirus. Results of the hybridization reactions of the PCR-derived gene 4 probes with selected porcine rotavirus strains agreed with previous serological or genetic analyses, indicating their suitability as diagnostic reagents.

Animals↗
PubMed1993

Location of intrachain disulfide bonds in the VP5* and VP8* trypsin cleavage fragments of the rhesus rotavirus spike protein VP4.

Because the rotavirus spike protein VP4 contains conserved Cys residues at positions 216, 318, 380, and 774 and, for many animal rotaviruses, also at position 203, we sought to determine whether disulfide bonds were structural elements of VP4. Electrophoretic analysis of untreated and trypsin-treated rhesus rotavirus (RRV) and simain rotavirus SA11 in the presence and absence of the reducing agent dithioerythritol revealed that VP4 and its cleavage fragments VP5* and VP8* possessed intrachain disulfide bonds. Given that the VP8* fragments of RRV and SA11 contain only two Cys residues, those at positions 203 and 216, these data indicated that these two residues were covalently linked. Electrophoretic examination of truncated species of VP4 and VP4 containing Cys-->Ser mutations synthesized in reticulocyte lysates provided additional evidence that Cys-203 and Cys-216 in VP8* of RRV were linked by a disulfide bridge. VP5* expressed in vitro was able to form a disulfide bond analogous to that in the VP5* fragment of trypsin-treated RRV. Analysis of a Cys-774-->Ser mutant of VP5* showed that, while it was able to form a disulfide bond, a Cys-318-->Ser mutant of VP5* was not. These results indicated that the VP4 component of all rotaviruses, except B223, contains a disulfide bond that links Cys-318 and Cys-380 in the VP5* region of the protein. This bond is located between the trypsin cleavage site and the putative fusion domain of VP4. Because human rotaviruses lack Cys-203 and, hence, unlike many animal rotaviruses cannot possess a disulfide bond in VP8*, it is apparent that VP4 is structurally variable in nature, with human rotaviruses generally containing one disulfide linkage and animal rotaviruses generally containing two such linkages. Considered with the results of anti-VP4 antibody mapping studies, the data suggest that the disulfide bond in VP5* exists within the 2G4 epitope and may be located at the distal end of the VP4 spike on rotavirus particles.

Amino Acid Sequence↗
PubMed2001

A prospective evaluation of community acquired gastroenteritis in paediatric practices: impact and disease burden of rotavirus infection.

AIMS: To examine the disease burden and epidemiology of community acquired rotavirus gastroenteritis in Austrian children treated in a paediatric practice. METHODS: A prospective, population based, multicentre study in four paediatric practices and two children's hospitals (Innsbruck and Leoben). Children </= 48 months of age presenting with gastroenteritis during a six month period of rotavirus peak between December 1997 and May 1998 were included. Prospective testing of stool samples for rotavirus was performed using ELISA. RESULTS: A total of 6969 children were enrolled; 171 (2.4%) had community acquired gastroenteritis. Of 144 children who could be included in further analysis, 49 (34%; median age 16.7 months) were rotavirus positive, and 95 (66%; median age 17.0 months) were rotavirus negative. Three of the rotavirus positive children (median age 14.6 months) were hospitalised. The severity of rotavirus positive gastroenteritis was significantly higher than that of rotavirus negative gastroenteritis. The incidence of community acquired gastroenteritis was 4.67 per 100 children per year, and of rotavirus positive gastroenteritis 1.33 per 100 children per year. CONCLUSION: Rotavirus is a relevant cause of community acquired gastroenteritis in children aged 4 years and younger treated by a paediatrician. The data can be used as a basis for developing strategies to prevent infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1978

Comparison of rotavirus strains by hemagglutination inhibition.

Rotaviruses have been shown to be of importance as aetiologic agents of gastroenteritis in infants and in domestic animals of several species. Hemagglutinins were prepared from two Canadian isolates of bovine rotavirus and from one isolate of a simian rotavirus. A United Kingdon isolate of bovine rotavirus was shown not to possess hemagglutinating activity, indicating a strain difference between a Canadian and United Kingdom bovine rotavirus. In hemagglutination-inhibition (HAI) tests a rabbit hyperimmune (two injections) serum, prepared to one of the bovine rotaviruses, was not helpful in distinguishing the two bovine viruses because of cross-reactions between the viruses. However, it was possible to distinguish the bovine viruses from the simian virus with this serum. When guinea pig immune sera were prepared to the four rotavirus strains and tested with the three hemagglutinins in the HAI test, antigenic differences between the four strains of rotavirus were demonstrated. Hyperimmune guinea pig serum prepared to a strain of human rotavirus did not inhibit any of three hemagglutinins indicating that the human strain is different from the three rotavirus strains which gave hemagglutinins.

Animals↗
PubMed2005

[Rotavirus diarrhea in a population covered by private health insurance in Córdoba, Argentina].

BACKGROUND: Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea worldwide, especially in children under 5 years of age. OBJECTIVES: To study the incidence of rotavirus diarrhea in a population in Cordoba, Argentina. To determine signs and symptoms with potential predictive clinical diagnostic value and evaluate how rotavirus diarrhea affects length of hospital stay. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A case-control study was performed from April 1, 2002 to March 31, 2003. RESULTS: Seventy-three patients were included. There were 33 rotavirus (1) cases and 40 rotavirus (-) controls. The mean age of the rotavirus (1) patients was 16.8 6 2.3 months. There were 14 (42.4 %; 95 % CI: 27.2-59.2) girls and 19 (57.6 %; 95 % CI: 40.8-72.8) boys. The seasonal peak of the disease was observed in the fall (30.3 %; 95 % CI: 17.4-47.3) and at the beginning of the austral winter (39.3 %; 95 % CI: 24.7-56.3). The signs and symptoms associated with the infection were vomiting (OR 8.40; 95 % CI: 2.39-31.33) and dehydration (OR 3.73; 95 % CI: 1.06-13.81). In the 33 rotavirus (1) patients, the mean length of hospital stay was 2.6 days. CONCLUSIONS: One half of the hospitalized cases were produced by rotavirus. The seasonal peak was observed in autumn and winter (southern hemisphere). Rotavirus (1) patients more frequently presented severe vomiting and dehydration than rotavirus (-) patients, although length of hospital stay and diarrhea were longer in the control group.

Argentina↗
PubMed2004

Molecular genotyping of Irish rotavirus strains.

Rotavirus is the primary etiological agent of gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. In developing countries, it is estimated that rotavirus is responsible for one-third of all diarrhea-associated hospitalizations and 873,000 deaths annually. In industrialized countries, where mortality from rotavirus is low, infection is widespread, and nearly all children experience an episode of rotavirus diarrhea in the first 3-5 yr of life. Rotaviruses have important antigenic specificities including serogroup and serotype, and all viruses are classified accordingly. They are divided into seven morphologically indistinguishable but antigenically defined serogroups, delineated A through G. The human infecting rotaviruses include groups A, B, and C, and it is well documented that group A rotaviruses are the major causative agents of diarrheal diseases in children. They are responsible for 125 million cases of diarrhea annually. Within each serogroup, distinct serotypes exist. In group A rotavirus, serotype is specified by two viral proteins, VP4 and VP7. The neutralizing antibody response that is evoked by the antigenic determinants on VP4 and VP7 play an important role in protective immunity. The rotavirus genome consists of 11 double-stranded (ds) RNA segments, and each genomic segment encodes a different protein. A dual system of reporting rotavirus serotype exists because the VP4 and VP7 proteins are encoded by different genes and thus can segregate independently. The serotypes derived from VP7 are defined as G-serotypes. Currently 14 G-serotypes have been identified, and only 10 of these have been recovered from humans. The predominating G-types worldwide are G1, G2, G3, and G4, with G1 being the most prevalent type. Serotypes G5, G6, G8-G10, and G12 are rarely identified in humans and are usually recovered from animals. However, some of these unconventional types are now being frequently reported in humans, including G5, G8, and G9.

Base Sequence↗