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Epidemiological patterns of rotaviruses causing severe gastroenteritis in young children throughout Australia from
R F Bishop1, P J Masendycz, H C Bugg
1Department of Gastroenterology and Clinical Nutrition, Royal Children's Hospital, Flemington Rd., Parkville, Victoria, Australia 3052. bishopr@cryptic.rch.unimelb.edu.au
Insights
Rotavirus G1 strains predominated in Australian children under five, with G2 strains causing epidemics. Strain complexity varied by population, and spread patterns differed between temperate and Aboriginal communities.
Area of Science:
- Virology and Epidemiology
- Pediatric Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe diarrhea in young children globally.
- Understanding rotavirus strain diversity and epidemiology is crucial for disease control and vaccine development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the antigenic and genetic characteristics of rotavirus strains causing severe diarrhea in Australian children.
- To identify epidemiological patterns of rotavirus circulation in different Australian settings.
Main Methods:
- Antigenic and genetic analyses (serotyping and electropherotyping) of rotavirus strains from hospitalized children.
- Data collection from eight major Australian hospitals between 1993 and 1996.
- Correlation of strain characteristics with epidemiological data, including patient demographics and geographic location.
Main Results:
- Serotype G1 was the predominant rotavirus strain (67.8%), followed by G2 (11.5%).
- Rotavirus incidence peaked in colder months in temperate climates, with greater genetic complexity in large population centers.
- Distinct epidemiological patterns were observed, including strain spread across Australia and unpredictable peaks in Aboriginal communities.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus epidemiology in Australia is characterized by predominant G1 strains and epidemic G2 strains, with complex genetic variations.
- Geographic and population factors significantly influence rotavirus strain circulation and disease patterns.
- This data provides a baseline for evaluating the impact of rotavirus vaccination on disease incidence and strain emergence.
Abstract:
Rotavirus strains that caused severe diarrhea in 4,634 (2,533 male) children aged less than 5 years and admitted to major hospitals in eight centers throughout Australia from 1993 to 1996 were subject to antigenic and genetic analyses. The G serotypes of rotaviruses were identified in 81.9% (3,793 of 4,634) children. They included 67.8% (from 3,143 children) serotype G1 isolates (containing 46 electropherotypes), 11.5% (from 531 children) serotype G2 isolates (27 electropherotypes), 0.8% (from 39 children) serotype G3 isolates (8 electropherotypes), and 1.6% (from 76 children) serotype G4 isolates (9 electropherotypes). G6 (two strains) and G8 (two strains) isolates were identified during the same period. G1 serotypes were predominant in all centers, with intermittent epidemics of G2 serotypes and sporadic detection of G3 and G4 strains. With the exception of two strains (typed as G1P2A[6] and G2P2A[6]) all serotype G1, G3, and G4 strains were P1A[8] and all serotype G2 strains were P1B[4]. Two contrasting epidemiological patterns were identified. In all temperate climates rotavirus incidence peaked during the colder months. The genetic complexity of strains (as judged by electropherotype) was greatest in centers with large populations. Identical electropherotypes appeared each winter in more than one center, apparently indicating the spread of some strains both from west to east and from east to west. Centers caring for children in small aboriginal communities showed unpredictable rotavirus peaks unrelated to climate, with widespread dissemination of a few rotavirus strains over distances of more than 1,000 km. Data from continued comprehensive etiological studies of genetic and antigenic variations in rotaviruses that cause severe disease in young children will serve as baseline data for the study of the effect of vaccination on the incidence of severe rotavirus disease and on the emergence of new strains.