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Clinical and epidemiological features of acute gastroenteritis caused by human rotavirus subgroups
A Chakravarti1, S Kumar, S K Mittal
1Department of Microbiology, Maulana Azad Medical College, New Delhi, India.
Insights
Rotavirus gastroenteritis affects hospitalized children in Delhi, with subgroups I and II being most common. Subgroup II infections were more severe and prevalent, particularly in boys during winter.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Virology
- Public Health
Background:
- Gastroenteritis is a common illness in children.
- Rotavirus is a leading cause of severe gastroenteritis in infants and young children worldwide.
- Understanding rotavirus epidemiology is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the prevalence and characteristics of rotavirus infection in hospitalized children with gastroenteritis in Delhi.
- To identify the circulating rotavirus subgroups and their association with clinical severity.
- To explore the influence of environmental factors on rotavirus incidence.
Main Methods:
- A prospective study was conducted over one year involving 288 hospitalized children with gastroenteritis.
- Rotavirus detection was performed using enzyme immunoassays with subgroup-specific monoclonal antibodies.
- Clinical data, including age, sex, and diarrhea severity, were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Rotavirus was detected in 15.28% of the children studied.
- Gastroenteritis cases were predominantly caused by rotavirus subgroups II (56.82%) and I (29.55%).
- Subgroup II was associated with more severe diarrhea and was more prevalent in boys, with infections peaking in early winter and correlating with temperature variations.
Conclusions:
- Rotavirus is a significant cause of pediatric gastroenteritis in Delhi, with subgroup II being the predominant and more virulent type.
- The findings highlight the importance of rotavirus surveillance and vaccination programs.
- Environmental factors, such as temperature fluctuations, may influence rotavirus transmission patterns.
Abstract:
Rotavirus was detected in 44 (15.28%) of 288 hospitalised children suffering from gastroenteritis in Delhi over a period of one year. Of these 44 children, subgroup I and II rotaviruses were detected in 13 (29.55%) and 25 (56.82%) children respectively. Samples from 5 (11.36%) children did not react with either subgroup I or II monoclonal antibodies, indicating the presence of a third subgroup. Both subgroups I and II were detected in one (2.27%) case. The median ages of the children infected by subgroup I and II rotavirus were 7 and 12 months respectively. Rotavirus was more prevalent in boys than in girls. The peak of rotavirus infection was seen in the early winter months. The difference of maximum and minimum monthly temperatures correlated significantly (p less than 0.05) with the incidence of rotavirus infection. Subgroup II was the predominant group throughout the period of study and caused a significantly higher incidence of severe diarrhoea than did subgroup I.