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[Rotavirus laboratory network: results after one year of observation]
K Bok1, N C Castagnaro, N E Diaz
1Departamento de Virus, Instituto Nacional de Enfermedades Infecciosas, ANLIS, Dr. Carlos G. Malbran, MSyAS, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
Insights
Rotavirus is the leading cause of severe pediatric diarrhea in Argentina. Surveillance after one year confirms its significant impact, highlighting the need for diagnosis and vaccination.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
- Virology
- Public Health Surveillance
Context:
- Rotavirus is a major cause of severe diarrhea in children globally.
- Argentina faces significant healthcare costs and hospitalizations due to rotavirus infections.
- A rotavirus vaccine is nearing approval, necessitating robust surveillance.
Purpose:
- To establish a laboratory-based surveillance system for rotavirus in Argentina.
- To present the findings from the first year of this surveillance system.
- To assess the epidemiological impact of rotavirus on pediatric hospitalizations.
Summary:
- Severe diarrhea accounts for 9% of pediatric hospitalizations in Argentina.
- Rotavirus was detected in 42.1% of severe diarrhea cases, contributing to an estimated 3.8% of all pediatric hospitalizations.
- Hospitalizations peaked in infants under one year old and during the April-June period.
Impact:
- Rotavirus is confirmed as the primary etiological agent of severe pediatric diarrhea in Argentina.
- Routine rotavirus diagnosis in pediatric hospitals is recommended.
- Implementation of diagnostic and vaccination strategies can lead to improved antibiotic use, infection control, and resource management.
Abstract:
Rotavirus is the most common cause of severe diarrhea in children and it has been estimated that in Argentina Rotavirus is responsible for 21,000 hospitalizations, 85,000 medical attentions and an annual medical cost of US$ 27 millions. Given that a Rotavirus vaccine is about to be approved, a laboratory network based surveillance system was organized. Herein, we present the results after one year of study. Severe diarrhea was responsible for 9% of pediatric hospitalizations and rotavirus was detected in 42.1% of the diarrhea cases. We estimated that Rotavirus causes 3.8% of pediatric hospitalizations. The number of diarrhea and Rotavirus diarrhea hospitalizations was greater during the first year of life (62% and 71.3%, respectively). The number of diarrhea hospitalizations during the December-May semester was significantly higher than the rest of the year. A Rotavirus diarrhea peak was detected between April and June. These results indicate that Rotavirus is the most important etiological agent of severe diarrhea in Argentine children and show the importance of performing Rotavirus diagnosis in every pediatric hospital. The additional costs will be compensated by many benefits such as better use of antibiotics, improved nosocomial spread control, better handling of hospital beds and of laboratory resources and of the hospitalized patient.