Prevalence of rotavirus gastroenteritis and circulating genotypes in children hospitalized in Borazjan, during 2008-2009

Human rotaviruses are the major etiological agents of acute viral gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide. With the licensure of new rotavirus vaccines, data on the burden of disease and the diversity of rotavirus genotypes circulating are important regarding immunization strategies. The purpose of the present study was to determine the genotypes of VP7 protein rotavirus in hospitalized children in Borazjan. In this study,375 stool samples from children less than 7 year old with severe diarrhaea hospitalized at 17 Shahrivar hospital in Borazjan, were collected during 2008 to 2009. Group A rotavirus antigen was detected in stool specimens using Enzyme Immunoassay (EIA). Then G-typing of the positive specimens was evaluated by Nested RT-PCR method. Among the collected samples, 24.27% were positive for rotavirus infection. The highest incidence was observed in children aged 12-17 months (6.93%) (p=0.056). The most common prevalence of positive rotavirus was observed in autumn with 54.94% compared to the least prevalence in summer with 2.20% (p=0).The frequency of G1, G4, G9, non-typeable genotypes were 51.65%, 2.20 %, 4.40%, 41.76%, respectively. But, G2, G3, G8, G10 and G12 genotypes weren’t detected. The noticeable frequency of non-typeable genotypes indicates that must be using from another primers for characterization of unusual genotypes. Also because of the high frequency of rotavirus infection, surveillance and expanded program of immunization especially for children less than 2 years is necessary.